Arab News Headlines
HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi met on Monday with HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Than Swe on the sidelines of the 19th Asia Cooperation Dialogue Ministerial Meeting held in Tehran.
During the meeting, cooperation relations between the two countries and ways to support and enhance them were discussed.
Source: Qatar News Agency
The State of Qatar participated Monday in the 19th ministerial meeting of the Asian Cooperation Dialogue, held in Tehran, Iran.
HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi headed the State of Qatar’s delegation at the meeting.
In his speech during the meeting, His Excellency emphasized the State of Qatar’s commitment to the goals and values of the Asian Cooperation Dialogue, saying that the dialogue constitutes the most important principle of the State of Qatar for establishing international peace and security and one of the pillars of its foreign policy.
His Excellency reiterated the State of Qatar’s firm stance on the justice of the Palestinian cause and the legitimate rights of the fraternal Palestinian people, especially their right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
His Excellency affirmed that the State of Qatar stresses the importance of adhering to the Doha Agreement to bring peace to Afghanistan, which was announced in 2020 with Qatar’s mediation, and which set the road map to reach a political solution that guarantees peace, stability, and prosperity for the fraternal Afghan people.
Concluding his speech, His Excellency welcomed the participating delegations in the upcoming 3rd Asia Cooperation Dialogue Summit, set to convene on October 2-3 in Doha.
Source: Qatar News Agency
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have reaffirmed their steadfast commitment to ensuring the right to health for all individuals within their territories, based on principles of non-discrimination and the provision of health services that meet the diverse needs of their communities.
This statement was delivered by HE Permanent Representative of Qatar to the United Nations Office in Geneva Hend bint Abdalrahman Al Muftah, on behalf of the GCC, in her capacity as chairperson of the Gulf Group, during the “Interactive Dialogue on the Report of the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health,” held as part of the 56th session of the Human Rights Council.
The GCC countries emphasized that their approach to dealing with drug abuse and harm reduction stems from their duty to protect public health, social stability, and the well-being of their citizens. They highlighted that the development and implementation of laws are based on the cultural, social, and legal contexts of each country, exercising their sovereign rights. The statement stressed that any discussions in this regard must align primarily with national priorities and legislative frameworks.
The GCC also expressed their eagerness to continue dialogue and cooperation to enhance efforts aimed at achieving the highest possible standard of health.
Source: Qatar News Agency
The European Union (EU) approved a new package of sanctions against Russia in response to its military operation in Ukraine that entered into its third year.
The EU’s 14th package of sanctions against the Russian Federation will feature for the first time restrictive measures against Russian Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).
Furthermore, the package imposes a wide range of restrictions on Russia with regard to trade, finance, energy, industry, technology, transportation, dual-use goods, luxury goods, as well as gold and diamonds.
It will also give the bloc more tools to take strict measures against sanction circumvention, and target 116 individuals and entities said to be “Responsible for actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.” Moreover, following a transition period of 9 months, the use of EU ports for the transshipment of Russian LNG will also be prohibited.
The package also prohibits the import of Russian LNG into specific terminals that are not connected to the EU gas pipeline network.
Source: Qatar News Agency
HE Prime Minister of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Mark Rutte voiced his welcome to HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, stressing that the visit of His Highness is an important step toward supporting bilateral relations between the State of Qatar and the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
In a post on his X official account, HE the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of the Netherlands said: “It was a pleasure to welcome HH the Amir to The Hague. His visit was an important milestone, as relations between our countries continue to improve. We discussed ways to further strengthen our ties, for example in the fields of sustainable energy, agriculture, and defense,” pointing to the signing of two memoranda of understanding on economic, commercial, and technical cooperation, and the field of defense.
“I also thanked His Highness again for his important work as a mediator in the conflict between Israel and Hamas, and for the part he played in securing the release of a Dutch hostage. I would like to thank HH the Amir for coming to the Netherlands,” His Excellency added.
Source: Qatar News Agency
The number of casualties due to the ongoing Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip since October 7, has risen to 37,626 martyrs in addition to 86,098 injured, Gaza’s Ministry of Health said in a statement on Monday.
The statement added that 28 martyrs and 66 injured were whisked off to Gaza’s hospitals due to the Israeli offensive in the enclave during the past 24 hours, with numerous martyrs and wounded still under rubble and on roads, as medical and civil defense personnel are unable to reach them.
The Israeli occupation army continues its intense and unprecedented onslaught in the enclave for the 262nd day through launching airstrikes and assaults from land and sea, thus perpetrating pogroms against the Palestinian civilians, which resulted in tens of thousands of martyrs, injured and missing people, along with massive devastation of the critical infrastructure, engendering unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe in the enclave.
Notwithstanding the heads-up from United Nations agencies regarding the worsening humanitarian situation in the enclave, Israel continues to launch war on Gaza, giving no qualms about the two resolutions issued by the UN Security Council requesting Israel to stop the war immediately, along with orders from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on ending its incursion into Rafah city south of the enclave and taking measures to prevent the genocidal acts.
Source: Qatar News Agency
Doha: The Shura Council held its regular weekly meeting at Tamim bin Hamad Hall on Monday, under the chairpersonship of HE Speaker of the Council Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim.
The council took note of the report of the Internal and External Affairs Committee regarding the public discussion request submitted by several of Their Excellencies members of the Council pertaining to the procedures for the departure of domestic workers from the country.
HE the Speaker of the Shura Council highlighted the decision of referring the aforementioned discussion request to the committee for further examination, noting that the council had previously discussed the topic of reorganizing domestic workers recruitment offices and submitted it to the Committee on Services and Public Facilities, which discussed it further and submitted its report to the council.
HE the Speaker of the Shura Council stated that due to the nexus between the two topics, the council decided to refer the committee’s opinion regarding domestic workers recruitment agencies to the Internal and External Affairs Committee for further perusal, simultaneously with the examination of the topic of workers’ departure.
After thoroughly discussing the report of the Councils Internal and External Affairs Committee and sharing perspectives on the topic of the domestic workers’ departure measures, the Council decided to submit a motion of desire to the esteemed government.
The motion of desire included the Council’s viewpoints and an array of measures that would compel domestic workers to submit leave or final departure through the ‘Metrash’ application to the employer within a minimum of five working days, to obtain the necessary approval for their request, as they are not permitted to leave without obtaining prior approval, and domestic workers are entitled to appeal to the relevant authorities in case the mentioned request is not approved.
The proposal included a call for the necessity of coordination among the state competent authorities regarding the registration of escape cases for domestic workers during the validity of their employment contract with the competent authority, whereby transferring their sponsorship to other employers is prohibited.
As to the other matter concerning the reorganization and monitoring of domestic worker recruitment agencies, the Council decided to submit a motion of desire to the esteemed government, underscoring the necessity of amending domestic worker contracts to ensure their responsibility in case of escape and payment of their travel expenses, without obligating the employer to pay those expenses after reporting the escape, because the worker’s escape constitutes a clear violation of the contractual relationship between the two sides.
The proposal stipulated that those workers, upon being apprehended or surrendering themselves to the competent authorities, must bear the cost of their return ticket. Alternatively, the individual or company that harbored and employed them illegally would be responsible for their deportation expenses instead of the original employers. Also, the motion of desire called for the establishment of an insurance system to address the financial implications of domestic workers’ escape cases.
Additionally, the motion of desire emphasized the importance of increasing penalties against runaway domestic workers and those who provide them shelter and alternative job opportunities, whether individuals or companies. It called for tightening supervision over places that could offer employment to this category, whether in private jobs, hourly work, live-in arrangements, hotels, or restaurants.
During the session, Council endorsed the draft law on job localization in the private sector after reviewing the report from the Council’s Financial and Economic Affairs Committee accordingly. Their Excellencies members of the Council discussed the provisions of the draft law. Additionally, the council approved a draft law amending certain provisions of Law No. (24) of 2015, regulating tenders and auctions, following a review of the report by the Financial and Economic Affairs Committee.
The Council endorsed a draft law amending certain provisions of Law No. (25) of 2015 on civil defense after discussing the report of the Internal and External Affairs Committee accordingly.
Afterwards, Council reviewed the report of the Information and Cultural Affairs Committee Regarding the esteemed government’s statement on the motion of desire submitted by the council concerning the phenomenon of Qatari teachers refraining from the teaching profession and took the appropriate decision accordingly.
The council also reviewed the esteemed government’s statement regarding the motion of desire submitted by the council concerning the utilization of retirees in the labor market and decided to refer it to the Financial and Economic Affairs Committee for further perusal and submission of findings.
Additionally, the Council approved the request to extend the work of the Information and Cultural Affairs Committee to examine the request for public discussion on regulating the production and dissemination of media content on digital platforms.
Upon the conclusion of the session, the Council discussed an array of reports on the participation of its delegations in a number of international parliamentary events.
Source: Qatar News Agency
Omani Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi met in Muscat on Monday with the Secretary-General of the Palestinian Fatah’s Central Committee Major General Jibril Rajoub.
The meeting discussed the latest developments in the Palestinian cause and the endeavors to achieve the Palestinian national accord.
The two sides underscored the international community’s responsibility to stop the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, alleviate the suffering of Gazans and open all crossings in front of the relief convoys.
Source: Qatar News Agency
In a move that reflects their commitment to improving response to climate change and building resilience in the most vulnerable communities, Qatar Charity and Islamic Relief have signed a cooperation agreement to launch joint initiatives in Pakistan.
The agreement, which was signed between Qatar Charity’s office in Pakistan and Islamic Relief, includes enhancing capabilities to adapt to climate change and implementing joint programs in the field of disaster mitigation.
In his statement about this strategic partnership, Director of Qatar Charity’s office in Pakistan, Amin Abdulrahman stressed that climate change constitutes a global challenge that requires an immediate response. He pointed out that Qatar Charity has adopted joint initiatives with Islamic Relief to confront issues of poverty, provide humanitarian aid, and promote human rights and social justice in Pakistan.
For his part, Director of the Islamic Relief Office in Pakistan, Asif Shirazi expressed his happiness at signing the memorandum of understanding with Qatar Charity, stressing that it will enhance the ability to adapt to climate challenges and enhance disaster preparedness in Pakistan.
He expressed hope that the eagerly awaited positive results of this partnership, would contribute to enhancing resilience and effective response to climate change in Pakistan.
Qatar Charity is making unremitting efforts to reduce the effects and repercussions of disasters and humanitarian crises taking place in Pakistan, as it was strongly present by providing urgent relief and supporting those affected and afflicted by the floods that struck Pakistan. It is also working to implement water and sanitation projects in Afghan refugee areas.
Source: Qatar News Agency
HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, affirmed that his constructive discussions with HM King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and HE Prime Minister Mark Rutte will enhance the distinguished cooperation relations between the two countries in various fields.
HH the Amir said, in a post on his official account on the social media platform ‘X’, that he held constructive talks in The Hague with King Willem-Alexander and Prime Minister Mark Rutte, stressing that the outcomes of these talks will strengthen the distinguished cooperation relations in various fields and will elevate the strategic partnership between the two countries to a new heights of collaboration and coordination through the memoranda of understanding signed today, achieving the common interests of both friendly nations.
Source: Qatar News Agency