Qatar calls for cooperation that repulses dangers; NATO announces its Arab role in June
Gulf-USA, Politics, 4/20/2004

NATO Assistant secretary general Gunter Altenburg said yesterday in Doha that NATO will disclose in June "a cooperation initiative " with the Middle East including the Arab Gulf region.

At the inauguration forum of the NATO and security transformation in the Gulf " in the presence of Qatar's crown prince Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad al-Thani and the foreign minister Sheikh Hamad Bin Jasem Bin Jabber al-Thani, Altenburg said "the challenge we are facing is clear" and spoke about drawing altogether with countries of the Middle east a policy similar to partnership and co-operation, as happened with Russia, in particular. He continued " could we establish mechanism for co-operation that can give real added value for the NATO and countries of the region?." He explained that the region is witnessing transformations and very deep developments and the debated question pertains to our ability to give a positive impetus similar to that took place in Europe."

For his part, the crown prince of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad al-Thani said in the forum that cooperation between the Gulf cooperation states and NATO " should be built on the ground of mutual respect and alienated from the concept of hegemony so as to achieve reciprocated interests." But he added that the Gulf region is facing today risks and challenges," adding "we have to pursue political, economic, and social reforms in the region together with enhancing people's participation in the political process."

Sheikh Tamim whose country gives huge military facilitation to the US said that the Arab Gulf region is witnessing in general political and social phenomenon that resulted in accelerating extremism especially in the lines of the youths." He considered that the security of the Gulf region is also connected to regional security calling for the need to " study permanent and likely dangers and co-operation with sides concerned to avert them."

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