Istanbul: The state of Qatar has reiterated its commitment to diplomacy and regional stability during high-level parliamentary meetings held in Istanbul, as part of the 152nd General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). A delegation from Qatar's Shura Council, led by HE the Speaker Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim, took part in coordination meetings of the Islamic and Asian parliamentary groups ahead of the formal opening of the assembly later on Wednesday.
According to Qatar News Agency, HE Al Ghanim emphasized that the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council, particularly the State of Qatar, have consistently pursued a policy of good neighborliness and played constructive roles in mediation and de-escalation efforts. He highlighted Qatar's role in facilitating dialogue related to tensions between Iran and Western nations, asserting that "the Iranian leadership is well aware" of these efforts.
HE Al Ghanim reiterated that Gulf states have confirmed that their territories would not be used as a launch point for military action against Iran. He challenged allegations suggesting otherwise, specifically claims that missiles had been launched from Gulf territories, stating that the absence of evidence weakens such accusations.
He also stressed the importance of unified positions within parliamentary groupings, warning that amendments to a widely supported emergency proposal-submitted by Qatar in coordination with Arab states and other geopolitical blocs-could risk undermining consensus. The proposal aims to address current regional challenges, and he expressed hope for its broad support, cautioning that failure to adopt it could have negative consequences for the region.
The meetings also focused on enhancing coordination among member states and reviewing organizational matters related to the assembly's agenda. On the sidelines, HE Al Ghanim met with HE Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Hisham Badawi, to discuss ways to strengthen parliamentary cooperation and address issues of mutual interest.