President Trump, the Future of Great Power Relations and the Role of the UN

21.11.16

An Address to the World Policy Conference

French Institute of International Relations

Doha

21 November 2016

It’s good to be back in Doha.

It’s good to be back in the Gulf with so many friends from the Arab world.

And its good to be participating in this World Policy Conference, convened by the French Institute of International Relations, with so many friends and colleagues from the wider international community.

We are here because we are committed global citizens who share a common concern for the future of our fragile global order.

As the ancient Chinese curse would have it, we live in interesting times.

In fact, these times are far too interesting.

Where none of us can project with any confidence the futures that lie ahead for our world and our planet.

The Centrality of Global Order

I have an old-fashioned view.

I believe that fundamental to all our global futures is the underlying architecture of the global order.

The uncomfortable truth is what we blithely call the global order is a most fragile thing.

It is as if in this post-modern, post-factual world, we have lost our collective historical memory of what global disorder is like.

After all, it was only one life-time ago that we saw global disorder on a grand scale.

And before 1945, when we built the current global order, global disorder had in fact been the dominant reality in the history of international relations.

In fact, it can be argued that historical forces of inertia, entropy and chaos constitute the “steady state” of international relations.

And that the global order we have had for the last 70 years, which remarkably was able to navigate our way peacefully through a nuclear-armed Cold War for 40 of those 70 years, has been an historical anomaly.

I therefore start from the simple proposition that a functioning global order is infinitely better than disorder – and that a global rules-based order is infinitely better than the alternative.

But given the vast array of historical forces, both geo-political and geo-economic, currently at work against our current order, forces which are strong, persistent and destructive, the incremental fragmentation, fracturing and potential destruction of the order will continue.

To avoid this will require deliberate, conscious diplomatic effort to sustain the legitimacy, functional effectiveness and institutional utility of the current order.

This means strong political leadership and policy resolve actively to maintain the agreed machinery and decision-making processes of our order – including the UN, the IMF, the WTO and the wider machinery of the more than 600 international treaties we have agreed to as an international community over the last 70 years.

Global order is not inherently self-sustaining.

It requires continuing work.

Business as usual does not work.

It is not that the current order and its core institutions will collapse tomorrow  morning.

They are more likely to simply fade away, as the critical mass of forces currently corroding the order continue to grow.

Unless we collectively decide to the contrary.

Nature of the Current Order

The current global order is an untidy amalgam of great power politics,  global rules-based institutions, and a growing number of non-state actors who have orders, or non-orders, all of their own.

That was in large part the nature of the deal struck in 1945, with the exception of the role of non-state actors.

And that has remained the essential dynamic ever since.

Great power politics speaks for itself.

It is based on core national interests and how these can be preserved within the framework of the current current system.

When the great powers work well together, the rest of the order usually functions well.

The reverse applies as well.

As for global and regional institutions, centred on the UN-based multilateral system, their effectiveness will depend on the willingness of states to allow them to function properly, as well as the competence of the internal management of these institutions.

Non-state actors represent the most dynamic area of change in the order over the last seventy years.

The number of non-state actors has proliferated.

As has their size and influence in relation to the state itself.

This applies to global corporations whose private assets exceed the public revenue of many states.

It applies to non-government organisations whose resources may now exceed those of UN humanitarian agencies.

And most notoriously it applies to terrorist organisations whose explicit mission is the disruption and even destruction on the existing interstate system.

These are the various elements of what might broadly be described as the current global order, or emerging global disorder, as it increasingly seems to be.

Great Power Relations: US-Russia, US-China and Russia-China

Lets look at each of these elements in turn, starting with the state of great power relations.

As of today, great power relations are in their worst state in a quarter of a century.

In US-Russia relations, we appear to have come close to a second cold war.

The causal factors are many and cumulative: the invasion of Iraq; the proposed NATO expansion for Georgia and Ukraine; the Russian action in Ukraine; the imposition of financial sanctions by the west on Russia; close physical encounters between US and Russian military aircraft and naval vessels; various forms of cyber warfare, including American accusations of Russian interference in the recent US presidential election campaign arising from the theft of internal email communications from within the Democratic Leadership Council.

These are not small matters.

In US China relations, tensions over the East China Sea, the South China Sea, and the broader competition for strategic space in East Asia and the West Pacific, has created the worst corrosion in strategic trust between the China  and the US since normalisation.

Again, these are not small matters either.

These factors are also set against the background over the last three years of a much deeper strategic rapprochement between  China and Russia, overcoming, at least for the period ahead, centuries of mutual strategic hostility.

We have therefore seen the most profound  realignment in the strategic triangle between Beijing, Moscow and  Washington since Nixon, when the US engaged China in a broader, defacto containment strategy against the Soviet Union. This has now been turned on its head.

And on top of all this, we now have the election of President Trump and the new uncertainties this creates at the deepest level concerning the  future global posture of the US in general, and in his specific China and Russian strategies he embraces.

At this stage we simply don’t know.

Will Trump seek to re-normalise relations  with Russia?

Yes, based on everything he has written and said.

But we do not know how far he will go on Syria, Ukraine and sanctions.

Nor do we know how President Putin will respond, and with what level of flexibility.

But we are no longer in a static situation, as we have been in what has become an  increasingly zero-sum relationship over the last several years.

These major foreign policy questions are at least now all in play.

For how long and with what strategic result we cannot tell.

With China US relations, things are on balance more likely to get worse than better.

Contrary to some superficial reporting on China popping champagne corks on Trump’s election to the Presidency, the bottom line is that it was clear throughout the election campaign that Trump believes that China is in large part responsible for what he defines as America’s economic decline.

He has threatened a general tariff of 48% on Chinese goods.

And he has stated he will declare China a currency manipulator within his first 100 days.

The problem with these threats is that they go to the core of his domestic economic narrative, and are deeply problematic to abandon outright.

Furthermore, it might just be that on these questions that he is to be taken at his word.

At a minimum, we are likely to see an escalation in economic and foreign policy friction between the two.

Although neither side at this stage has an interest in this spilling over into the security domain.

Overall, however, it is possible to see the US Russia relationship and the US China relationship swapping places over the next twelve months in terms of which is likely to become the most problematic for Washington.

Although the caveat remains that it is still too early to tell what Trump will actually do.

But from the perspective of rebuilding a functional global order, it is in all our interests that all three great powers increasingly normalise their relations.

The State of our Global Institutions

This brings us to the second pillar of the current global order which is the state of our principal global institutions,  and their ability to anticipate and respond to the principal global challenges we now face.

This is critical given the speed, intensity and complexity of the current globalisation process.

These have created a series of challenges where the demand for effective global governance across multiple policy domains now vastly exceeds the supply of such global governance.

This growing deficit in effective global governance has been compounded by the hollowing out of the traditional “autonomy” of the nation state itself, as an inevitable consequence of the globalisation process itself.

The result is that the state is left in no-man’s land – without the policy reach to effectively deal with problems  which have become as much international as they are national; while at the same time still held accountable by local political constituencies for actually solving  such problems, while being effectively powerless to do so.

This in turn has caused the large scale abandonment of the politics of the traditional centre, which has been deemed powerless to act.

And a parallel embrace of the politics of the extremes.

We now see this unfolding across the world.

The political integrity of the mainstream nation state is therefore brought into question.

But so too is the political integrity of the various  institutions of global and regional governance, as these too are rarely sufficiently resourced or empowered to resolve the policy  challenge at hand.

And so once again, we find ourselves in no-man’s land, stranded between both weak nation states on the one hand, and weak global and regional institutions on the other.

Yet this is merely the background against which the new drama that is Trump now unfolds.

First, Trump is by nature a bilateralist, rather than a multlaterlaist. Because that’s where the “art of the deal” is to be struck, rather than, in Trump’s mind, through some interminable multilateral process.

Second, he is by nature an nationalist, isolationist and America Firster, rather than an internationalist.

Third, his priorities are principally domestic, rather than foreign, and it is the domestic lens through  which he views the world.

Fourth, there is the added challenge of Trump’s attitude to free trade (potentially the end of the WTO);

And finally, of course, there is the climate change ( and perhaps the end of the UNFCCC, or at least American participation in the Paris Treaty)

For these reasons, our global and regional institutions are more likely, rather than less, to be marginalised by the Trump presidency.

These institutions will therefore require strong advocacy from others in the international community to keep them afloat.

They will also need a comprehensive program of reform for the institutions themselves to demonstrate their institutional effectiveness.

That’s why I spent much of the last two years working as Chair of the Independent Commission  on Multilateralism focusing on the practical, conceptual and institutional reform of the UN organisation.

This report, entitled “UN 2030 – Rebuilding Order in a Fragmenting World,” was released in September.

It contains 12 generic principles of UN reform to guide future reform efforts overall.

As well as a further 55 recommendations dealing with specific reforms across the various programs of Peace and Security, Sustainable Development, Human Rights, Humanitarian Support and management. personnel and budget.

The report can be found on the website of the International Peace Institute, and I commend it to your attention.

I do not propose to outline it here.

It has released it so far in New York, DC, London, Paris and Berlin.

And in early November I was invited to brief the Security Council on the report as well.

But unless the incoming Secretary General takes UN reform as a first priority, the institution itself will continue to atrophy, states will increasingly walk around it in dealing with major global challenges, with the risk of the UN over time simply “dying the death of a thousand cuts.”

Non-State Actors

My report on UN reform also deals extensively with the impact of non-state actors. on the institutions of global governance, and more broadly the global order.

Corporations.

Civil Society.

And how the UN now requires new, comprehensive partnership frameworks to extend the multilateral tent to fully embrace their work.

Unless this is done, global goals, like the Sustainable Development Goals, will end up as a dead letter: elegant phrases, but failing to translate into measurable reality.

On the question of terrorism, this should become the unifying force for great, middle and small powers alike.

The logic is clear.

Terrorism is a fundamental assault on the state and inter state system itself.

It must therefore become the centrepiece of concerted global action – from prevention though to interdiction, and elimination.

If the current state-based global order does not respond effectively to both the opportunities and threats presented by the proliferation of non-state actors, then the order itself, and the institutions that support it, will be seen as increasingly marginal by the peoples of the world.

And it is these same peoples who are currently abandoning the global political centre, and its underlying ideational assumption, in growing numbers.

Conclusion

For the future of the global order, therefore, there are many grounds for pessimism.

But professional pessimism, however detached, however analytical, and indeed however fashionable, provides no basis for policy.

We are not the hapless victims of the silent forces of historical determinism.

We as global citizens, and the peoples, economies and governments we may represent, are also active agents of global political change.

If we choose to be.

Not just interested observers.

But as passionate actors.

Seeking to preserve, reform and revitalise the institutions of global governance for the future.

Because in history there has always been a thin line between civilisation and barbarism.

Between a global commons, and an atavistic nationalism.

Between the multilateral institutions on international arbitration, and the bilateral application of sheer brute force.

And it is our collective choice which side of that line we will defend for our common global future.

Les Etats-Unis doivent éviter l’aventure isolationniste

20.11.16

Doha – Le chef de la diplomatie française Jean-Marc Ayrault a estimé dimanche que Washington devrait éviter l’aventure isolationniste après l’élection du populiste Donald Trump à la présidence américaine.

Ce qu’il faut éviter à tout prix, c’est l’aventure isolationniste, l’unilatéralisme ou une forme de rupture avec ce qui constitue (…) un état de droit international, a déclaré M. Ayrault à l’ouverture à Doha de la 9e édition de la World Policy Conference, organisée par l’Institut français des relations internationales (Ifri).

Le ministre, qui s’est exprimé devant 250 décideurs et personnalités d’une quarantaine de pays réunis pour un débat sur les grands enjeux internationaux, a appelé à des solutions collectives aux problèmes du monde.

Le républicain Donald Trump, qui doit succéder en janvier au démocrate Barack Obama, a suscité de l’inquiétude dans plusieurs pays après avoir porté durant sa campagne électorale un message isolationniste et protectionniste.

Nous avons besoin d’un partenaire américain ouvert au monde, pleinement engagé, jouant la carte de la coopération avec ses alliés et celle du multilatéralisme (…), a souligné le chef du Quai d’Orsay.

Évoquant les relations franco-américaines, M. Ayrault a affirmé que Paris travaillerait avec M. Trump parce que les Etats-Unis sont un pays ami de la France et parce que notre coopération est indispensable.

Plus tard, interrogé lors d’une conférence de presse sur une éventuelle victoire en France de la candidate d’extrême droite Marine Le Pen à l’élection présidentielle de 2017, le ministre a répondu: pourquoi vouloir comparer les Etats-Unis à la France alors que chaque pays a ses traditions’

Moi, je respecte le choix du peuple américain mais, en même temps, je fais confiance au peuple français et à son intelligence. Je sais que le peuple français sait aussi que la France reste la France avec ce qu’elle représente dans le monde, ses valeurs et son rôle.

Le ministre a rejeté l’idée d’une France qui se replie et qui se recroqueville, se prononçant plutôt pour une France qui soit le moteur de l’Europe et qui remplisse pleinement ses responsabilités internationales. On a besoin de la France, a-t-il insisté.

– ‘Peuple pris en étau’ –

Il a par ailleurs défendu l’accord international sur le nucléaire iranien, conclu en juillet 2015, et que le candidat Trump a promis, une fois élu président, de déchirer.

Par cet accord, nous avons été capables d’arrêter la course de l’Iran vers l’arme nucléaire, a dit M. Ayrault, jugeant essentiel (…) d’encourager l’Iran à devenir un acteur responsable dans la région.

Evoquant les crises au Moyen-Orient, le chef de la diplomatie française a prôné le dialogue et la diplomatie.

En Syrie, a-t-il relevé, le peuple est pris en étau entre un régime barbare et des groupes terroristes dénués de tout scrupule.

Certains prétendent qu’il n’y aurait qu’à choisir entre deux maux le moindre: confier au régime de Bachar al-Assad la tâche de nous débarrasser de Daech (acronyme en arabe du groupe Etat islamique-EI), a-t-il déclaré, en allusion à la Russie, principal soutien du régime de Damas.

Il a estimé qu’il faudrait faire plus pour maintenir une alternative au pouvoir sanguinaire de Bachar al-Assad.

Il a, dans ce contexte, plaidé pour que les territoires libérés de l’EI en Irak et en Syrie servent d’exemples de coexistence pacifique et de gouvernance respectueuse de la diversité.

Concernant le conflit israélo-palestinien, le chef de la diplomatie française a réitéré l’engagement de Paris à poursuivre son initiative lancée en juin pour l’organisation d’une conférence internationale, afin de réaffirmer l’attachement collectif à la solution de deux Etats.

(©AFP / 20 novembre 2016 13h52)

Ayrault: les Etats-Unis doivent éviter l’aventure isolationniste

20.11.16

Le chef de la diplomatie française Jean-Marc Ayrault a estimé dimanche que Washington devrait éviter “l’aventure isolationniste” après l’élection du…

Le chef de la diplomatie française Jean-Marc Ayrault a estimé dimanche que Washington devrait éviter “l’aventure isolationniste” après l’élection du populiste Donald Trump à la présidence américaine.

“Ce qu’il faut éviter à tout prix, c’est l’aventure isolationniste, l’unilatéralisme ou une forme de rupture avec ce qui constitue (…) un état de droit international”, a déclaré M. Ayrault à l’ouverture à Doha de la 9e édition de la “World Policy Conference”, organisée par l’Institut français des relations internationales (Ifri).

Le ministre, qui s’est exprimé devant 250 décideurs et personnalités d’une quarantaine de pays réunis pour un débat sur les grands enjeux internationaux, a appelé à des solutions “collectives” aux problèmes du monde.

Le républicain Donald Trump, qui doit succéder en janvier au démocrate Barack Obama, a suscité de l’inquiétude dans plusieurs pays après avoir porté durant sa campagne électorale un message isolationniste et protectionniste.

“Nous avons besoin d’un partenaire américain ouvert au monde, pleinement engagé, jouant la carte de la coopération avec ses alliés et celle du multilatéralisme (…), a souligné le chef du Quai d’Orsay.

Évoquant les relations franco-américaines, M. Ayrault a affirmé que Paris travaillerait avec M. Trump “parce que les Etats-Unis sont un pays ami de la France et parce que notre coopération est indispensable”.

Plus tard, interrogé lors d’une conférence de presse sur une éventuelle victoire en France de la candidate d’extrême droite Marine Le Pen à l’élection présidentielle de 2017, le ministre a répondu: “pourquoi vouloir comparer les Etats-Unis à la France alors que chaque pays a ses traditions?”

“Moi, je respecte le choix du peuple américain mais, en même temps, je fais confiance au peuple français et à son intelligence. Je sais que le peuple français sait aussi que la France reste la France avec ce qu’elle représente dans le monde, ses valeurs et son rôle”.

Le ministre a rejeté l’idée d’une France “qui se replie” et “qui se recroqueville”, se prononçant plutôt pour une France “qui soit le moteur de l’Europe” et qui remplisse pleinement ses responsabilités internationales. “On a besoin de la France”, a-t-il insisté.

– ‘Peuple pris en étau’ –

Il a par ailleurs défendu l’accord international sur le nucléaire iranien, conclu en juillet 2015, et que le candidat Trump a promis, une fois élu président, de “déchirer”.

Par cet accord, “nous avons été capables d’arrêter la course de l’Iran vers l’arme nucléaire”, a dit M. Ayrault, jugeant “essentiel (…) d’encourager l’Iran à devenir un acteur responsable dans la région”.

Evoquant les crises au Moyen-Orient, le chef de la diplomatie française a prôné “le dialogue et la diplomatie”.

En Syrie, a-t-il relevé, “le peuple est pris en étau” entre “un régime barbare” et “des groupes terroristes dénués de tout scrupule”.

“Certains prétendent qu’il n’y aurait qu’à choisir entre deux maux le moindre: confier au régime de Bachar al-Assad la tâche de nous débarrasser de Daech” (acronyme en arabe du groupe Etat islamique-EI), a-t-il déclaré, en allusion à la Russie, principal soutien du régime de Damas.

Il a estimé qu’il faudrait “faire plus pour maintenir une alternative au pouvoir sanguinaire de Bachar al-Assad”.

Il a, dans ce contexte, plaidé pour que les territoires libérés de l’EI en Irak et en Syrie servent d'”exemples de coexistence pacifique et de gouvernance respectueuse de la diversité”.

Concernant le conflit israélo-palestinien, le chef de la diplomatie française a réitéré l’engagement de Paris à poursuivre son initiative lancée en juin pour l’organisation d’une conférence internationale, afin de “réaffirmer l’attachement collectif à la solution de deux Etats”.

Ayrault: les Etats-Unis doivent éviter l’aventure isolationniste

20.11.16

Le chef de la diplomatie française Jean-Marc Ayrault a estimé dimanche que Washington devrait éviter “l’aventure isolationniste” après l’élection du populiste Donald Trump à la présidence américaine.
“Ce qu’il faut éviter à tout prix, c’est l’aventure isolationniste, l’unilatéralisme ou une forme de rupture avec ce qui constitue (…) un état de droit international”, a déclaré M. Ayrault à l’ouverture à Doha de la 9e édition de la “World Policy Conference”, organisée par l’Institut français des relations internationales (Ifri).
Le ministre, qui s’est exprimé devant 250 décideurs et personnalités d’une quarantaine de pays réunis pour un débat sur les grands enjeux internationaux, a appelé à des solutions “collectives” aux problèmes du monde.
Le républicain Donald Trump, qui doit succéder en janvier au démocrate Barack Obama, a suscité de l’inquiétude dans plusieurs pays après avoir porté durant sa campagne électorale un message isolationniste et protectionniste.
“Nous avons besoin d’un partenaire américain ouvert au monde, pleinement engagé, jouant la carte de la coopération avec ses alliés et celle du multilatéralisme (…), a souligné le chef du Quai d’Orsay.
Évoquant les relations franco-américaines, M. Ayrault a affirmé que Paris travaillerait avec M. Trump “parce que les Etats-Unis sont un pays ami de la France et parce que notre coopération est indispensable”.
Plus tard, interrogé lors d’une conférence de presse sur une éventuelle victoire en France de la candidate d’extrême droite Marine Le Pen à l’élection présidentielle de 2017, le ministre a répondu: “pourquoi vouloir comparer les Etats-Unis à la France alors que chaque pays a ses traditions?”
“Moi, je respecte le choix du peuple américain mais, en même temps, je fais confiance au peuple français et à son intelligence. Je sais que le peuple français sait aussi que la France reste la France avec ce qu’elle représente dans le monde, ses valeurs et son rôle”.
Le ministre a rejeté l’idée d’une France “qui se replie” et “qui se recroqueville”, se prononçant plutôt pour une France “qui soit le moteur de l’Europe” et qui remplisse pleinement ses responsabilités internationales. “On a besoin de la France”, a-t-il insisté.
– ‘Peuple pris en étau’ –
Il a par ailleurs défendu l’accord international sur le nucléaire iranien, conclu en juillet 2015, et que le candidat Trump a promis, une fois élu président, de “déchirer”.
Par cet accord, “nous avons été capables d’arrêter la course de l’Iran vers l’arme nucléaire”, a dit M. Ayrault, jugeant “essentiel (…) d’encourager l’Iran à devenir un acteur responsable dans la région”.
Evoquant les crises au Moyen-Orient, le chef de la diplomatie française a prôné “le dialogue et la diplomatie”.
En Syrie, a-t-il relevé, “le peuple est pris en étau” entre “un régime barbare” et “des groupes terroristes dénués de tout scrupule”.
“Certains prétendent qu’il n’y aurait qu’à choisir entre deux maux le moindre: confier au régime de Bachar al-Assad la tâche de nous débarrasser de Daech” (acronyme en arabe du groupe Etat islamique-EI), a-t-il déclaré, en allusion à la Russie, principal soutien du régime de Damas.
Il a estimé qu’il faudrait “faire plus pour maintenir une alternative au pouvoir sanguinaire de Bachar al-Assad”.
Il a, dans ce contexte, plaidé pour que les territoires libérés de l’EI en Irak et en Syrie servent d'”exemples de coexistence pacifique et de gouvernance respectueuse de la diversité”.
Concernant le conflit israélo-palestinien, le chef de la diplomatie française a réitéré l’engagement de Paris à poursuivre son initiative lancée en juin pour l’organisation d’une conférence internationale, afin de “réaffirmer l’attachement collectif à la solution de deux Etats”.

AFP

USA: éviter “l’aventure isolationniste”

20.11.16

Par lefigaro.fr avec AFP

Le chef de la diplomatie française Jean-Marc Ayrault a estimé que Washington devrait éviter “l’aventure isolationniste”, après l’élection du populiste Donald Trump à la présidence américaine. “Ce qu’il faut éviter à tout prix, c’est l’aventure isolationniste, l’unilatéralisme ou une forme de rupture avec ce qui constitue (…) un état de droit international”, a déclaré M. Ayrault à l’ouverture à Doha de la 9e édition de la “World Policy conference”.

Le ministre, qui s’est exprimé devant un parterre de quelque 250 décideurs et personnalités d’une quarantaine de pays réunis pour un débat sur les grands enjeux internationaux, a appelé à des solutions “collectives” aux problèmes du monde. “Face aux désordres du monde, la seule réponse consiste à unir nos forces, à faire preuve de solidarité et à trouver des solutions collectives à des problèmes communs”, a-t-il dit.

Donald Trump, qui doit succéder en janvier au président Barack Obama, a suscité l’inquiétude dans plusieurs pays après avoir porté durant sa campagne électorale un message isolationniste et protectionniste.

“Nous avons besoin d’un partenaire américain ouvert au monde, pleinement engagé, jouant la carte de la coopération avec ses alliés et celle du multilatéralisme” pour pouvoir “répondre aux enjeux globaux” auxquels le monde est confronté, a souligné le chef du Quai d’Orsay.

Parmi ces enjeux, il a cité la lutte contre le terrorisme, le dérèglement climatique, la gestion des flux migratoires, la sécurité collective et le développement durable.

Évoquant les relations franco-américaines, M. Ayrault a affirmé que Paris travaillerait avec M. Trump “parce que les Etats-Unis sont un pays ami de la France et parce que notre coopération est indispensable”.

Le président François Hollande avait établi un dialogue avec M. Trump dès son élection pour que “les doutes nés d’une campagne électorale trop polémique soient rapidement levés”, a-t-il rappelé. Il a précisé que la France voudrait “favoriser, malgré certaines divergences, une coopération solide avec la nouvelle administration” de Donald Trump.

Ayrault: Les États-Unis doivent éviter “l’aventure isolationniste”

20.11.16

Jean-Marc Ayrault, ministre des Affaires étrangères français, a fait part de ses idées quant à l’avenir politique international lors de l’ouverture à Doha de la “World Policy Conference” qui se tient du 20 au 22 novembre.

Le chef de la diplomatie française Jean-Marc Ayrault a estimé ce dimanche que Washington devrait éviter “l’aventure isolationniste” après l’élection du populiste Donald Trump à la présidence américaine.

“Ce qu’il faut éviter à tout prix, c’est l’aventure isolationniste, l’unilatéralisme ou une forme de rupture avec ce qui constitue (…) un état de droit international”, a déclaré Ayrault à l’ouverture à Doha de la 9e édition de la “World Policy Conference”, organisée par l’Institut français des relations internationales (Ifri).

Le ministre, qui s’est exprimé devant 250 décideurs et personnalités d’une quarantaine de pays réunis pour un débat sur les grands enjeux internationaux, a appelé à des solutions “collectives” aux problèmes du monde.

Le républicain Donald Trump, qui doit succéder en janvier au démocrate Barack Obama, a suscité de l’inquiétude dans plusieurs pays après avoir porté durant sa campagne électorale un message isolationniste et protectionniste.

“Nous avons besoin d’un partenaire américain ouvert au monde, pleinement engagé, jouant la carte de la coopération avec ses alliés et celle du multilatéralisme (…), a souligné le chef du Quai d’Orsay.

Évoquant les relations franco-américaines, M. Ayrault a affirmé que Paris travaillerait avec M. Trump “parce que les Etats-Unis sont un pays ami de la France et parce que notre coopération est indispensable”.

Plus tard, interrogé lors d’une conférence de presse sur une éventuelle victoire en France de la candidate d’extrême droite Marine Le Pen à l’élection présidentielle de 2017, le ministre a répondu: “pourquoi vouloir comparer les Etats-Unis à la France alors que chaque pays a ses traditions?”

“Moi, je respecte le choix du peuple américain mais, en même temps, je fais confiance au peuple français et à son intelligence. Je sais que le peuple français sait aussi que la France reste la France avec ce qu’elle représente dans le monde, ses valeurs et son rôle”.

Le ministre a rejeté l’idée d’une France “qui se replie” et “qui se recroqueville”, se prononçant plutôt pour une France “qui soit le moteur de l’Europe” et qui remplisse pleinement ses responsabilités internationales. “On a besoin de la France”, a-t-il insisté.

“Peuple pris en étau”

Il a par ailleurs défendu l’accord international sur le nucléaire iranien, conclu en juillet 2015, et que le candidat Trump a promis, une fois élu président, de “déchirer”.

Par cet accord, “nous avons été capables d’arrêter la course de l’Iran vers l’arme nucléaire”, a dit M. Ayrault, jugeant “essentiel (…) d’encourager l’Iran à devenir un acteur responsable dans la région”.

Evoquant les crises au Moyen-Orient, le chef de la diplomatie française a prôné “le dialogue et la diplomatie”.

En Syrie, a-t-il relevé, “le peuple est pris en étau” entre “un régime barbare” et “des groupes terroristes dénués de tout scrupule”.

“Certains prétendent qu’il n’y aurait qu’à choisir entre deux maux le moindre: confier au régime de Bachar al-Assad la tâche de nous débarrasser de Daech” (acronyme en arabe du groupe Etat islamique-EI), a-t-il déclaré, en allusion à la Russie, principal soutien du régime de Damas.

Il a estimé qu’il faudrait “faire plus pour maintenir une alternative au pouvoir sanguinaire de Bachar al-Assad”.

Il a, dans ce contexte, plaidé pour que les territoires libérés de l’EI en Irak et en Syrie servent d'”exemples de coexistence pacifique et de gouvernance respectueuse de la diversité”.

Concernant le conflit israélo-palestinien, le chef de la diplomatie française a réitéré l’engagement de Paris à poursuivre son initiative lancée en juin pour l’organisation d’une conférence internationale, afin de “réaffirmer l’attachement collectif à la solution de deux Etats”.

Source: AFP

Foreign Minister Meets WPC President

20.11.16

Doha, November 20 (QNA) – HE the Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani met here on Sunday with the President and Founder of the World Policy Conference (WPC) Thierry de Montbrial, on the sideline of the conference which started today in Doha.
During the meeting, they exchanged views on regional issues and the main challenges to the world policy, particularly the changes in the region. (QNA)

У Катарі відкрилась World Policy Conference

20.11.16

Посольство України у Державі Катар

20 листопада ц.р. у м. Доха (Держава Катар) відкрилось 9-е засідання Міжнародної конференції Світової політики, присвячене питанням світового управління. Цього року вона проходить під патронатом Прем’єр-міністра Катару шейха Абдулли Аль Тані, який виступив перед учасниками форуму з вітальним словом.

Почесними спікерами заходу стали міністр закордонних справ Франції Ж.М.Еро та колишній турецький прем’єр-міністр А.Давутоглу (на фото).

Головними посилами виступу глави французької дипломатії стали:

–        світове співтовариство повинно будувати «мости довіри» між Заходом та Сходом;

–        гуманітарна трагедія у Сирії спричинена діями сирійського режиму;

–        лише солідарність та єдність зусиль усього світового співтовариства може покласти край тероризму, радикалізму та насильству;

–        боротьба з міжнародним тероризмом вимагає підключення усіх провідних країн-партнерів на чолі з США, які на сьогодні є найсильнішою економікою світу;

–        сьогоднішньому світові бракує упевненості у завтрашньому дні;

–        іншими найбільш актуальними викликами сьогодення є нелегальна міграція та кліматичні зміни;

–        політика ізоляціонізму доводить свою неефективність;

–        арабський світ страждає від фрагментації, якій потрібно покласти край;

–        Палестина та Ізраїль не мають іншого шляху, як жити у мирі та безпеці, що вимагає безумовного дотримання сторонами відповідних резолюцій РБ ООН;

У виступі А.Давутоглу домінували такі сигнали:

–        головна риса, що характеризує сьогоднішній світ – це непередбачуваність;

–        одну з найбільших загроз світові становить екстремізм у різних його проявах;

–        світ досі не оговтався від економічної кризи 2008 року;

–        у світі відсутній глобальний діалог, а нинішня ситуація нагадує події кінця 30-х років ХХ ст. напередодні ІІ світової війни;

–        вихід з нинішньої складної політичної ситуації у світі має забезпечити інклюзивність усіх сторін, які б відчували спільну відповідальність за майбутнє планети.

У конференції беруть участь низка європейських урядовців, парламентарів, дипломатів, учених, журналістів.

Урочисту церемонію відкриття відвідав, зокрема, Посол України в Катарі Євген Микитенко.

Захід триватиме до 22 листопада ц.р. включно.

9th World Policy Conference Took Off in Doha

20.11.16

Doha

‘ The phenomenon of terrorism has become a serious threat to the Middle East and global stability in economic, political, social, security and development areas’, Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Prime Minister and Interior Minister of State of Qatar said in his opening address of 9th World Conference in Doha.

He said that countering terrorism should not be limited to the security aspects, despite its importance, stressing the need for collective efforts to confront terrorism at the national, regional and international level, including cultural, intellectual, ideological, economic, social and media aspects.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al-Thani said that all are aware of the need to take advantage of youth’s energies and abilities as they are the future of the peoples and nations, adding that this will be achieved only by protecting them and fulfilling their hopes and aspirations which require taking the necessary measures to deal with their problems so as not to be easy prey for terrorist groups.

He said that the world is still looking for the potentials to stimulate economic growth and improve its pace as an important input for the realization of social justice and stability that people aspire to.

Sheikh Abdullah said that development challenges must be faced and its risks and negative effects on the political and social stability must be overcome, especially in the least developed countries, calling on the International Community to support the efforts of these countries to achieve their goals in economic and social development as well as other fields through the fulfillment of the international commitments on development aid in all its forms.

He pointed out that the State of Qatar has spared no effort in providing development assistance and fulfilling its international obligations in this regard for many regions of the world, adding that Qatar has made great achievements in sustainable development in accordance with international and regional reports, particularly in areas such as education, health, employment, youth, human rights and economic growth thanks to the wise leadership of Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and his keenness to achieve the aspirations of the Qatari people in all aspects of life.

Prime Minister of Qatar reassured that Qatar will continue its permanent development to achieve prosperity and sustainable development for the Qatari people through Vision 2030 and the related strategic plans to consolidate a modern state based on justice, the rule of law, openness in foreign relations in accordance with strong bases and pillars, especially the mutual respect, common interests according to the rules of international legitimacy, interaction between peoples, cultures and civilizations, respect for human rights and peaceful settlement of disputes.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al-Thani emphasized the importance of the issues and topics of this conference, including the changes currently witnessed by the world, especially in the European Union, looking forward to the outcomes of the discussions to achieve the desired goal of this conference for the security, stability and sustainable development in the world.

Ahmet Davutoglu, Former Turkish Prime Minister, Jean-Mare Ayrault, Minister of of Foreign Affairs & Int’l Development, France. and Thierry de Montbrial, Founder & Chairman WPC addressed to the Opening Session.

US under Trump must remain ´open to world´: French FM

20.11.16

By AFP

DOHA: French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault on Sunday urged the United States to reject isolationism after president-elect Donald Trump takes office and to remain “open to the world”.

Speaking at the World Policy conference in Doha before around 250 decision-makers and delegates, Ayrault became the latest senior Western politician to reveal apparent concern over Trump´s forthcoming presidency.

“We need an American partner open to the world, fully engaged, cooperating with its allies,” said Ayrault.

He added that Washington should “avoid at all costs” any attempts to become isolationist.

France would be working with the newly-elected US president because “the United States is a friend of France and because our cooperation is indispensable”, said Ayrault, a former premier who took over the foreign ministry in February.

His comments came just hours after French President Francois Hollande warned that US commitments to reducing climate change and global warming were “irreversible”.

Trump has previously claimed climate change was a “hoax” and promised to cancel the hard-won Paris climate agreement aimed at limiting warming.

Speaking afterwards to reporters, Ayrault shrugged off concerns that a Trump victory could pave the way for a French presidential election victory next year for far-right leader Marine Le Pen.

“Why compare the United States with France when each country has its own traditions?” he asked.

“I respect the choice of the American people but at the same time I trust the French people and their intelligence.

“I know that the French people also know that France remains France with what it represents in the world, its values and its role,” he added.

US UNDER TRUMP MUST REMAIN ’OPEN TO WORLD’: FRENCH FM

20.11.16

DOHA: French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault on Sunday urged the United States to reject isolationism after president-elect Donald Trump takes office and to remain “open to the world”.

Speaking at the World Policy conference in Doha before around 250 decision-makers and delegates, Ayrault became the latest senior Western politician to reveal apparent concern over Trump’s forthcoming presidency.

“We need an American partner open to the world, fully engaged, cooperating with its allies,” said Ayrault.

He added that Washington should “avoid at all costs” any attempts to become isolationist.

France would be working with the newly-elected US president because “the United States is a friend of France and because our cooperation is indispensable”, said Ayrault, a former premier who took over the foreign ministry in February.

His comments came just hours after French President Francois Hollande warned that US commitments to reducing climate change and global warming were “irreversible”.

Trump has previously claimed climate change was a “hoax” and promised to cancel the hard-won Paris climate agreement aimed at limiting warming.

Speaking afterwards to reporters, Ayrault shrugged off concerns that a Trump victory could pave the way for a French presidential election victory next year for far-right leader Marine Le Pen.

“Why compare the United States with France when each country has its own traditions?” he asked.

“I respect the choice of the American people but at the same time I trust the French people and their intelligence.

“I know that the French people also know that France remains France with what it represents in the world, its values and its role,” he added.

Copyright AFP (Agence France-Presse), 2016

Qatari, French cooperation reviewed

20.11.16

Doha, Nov. 20 (BNA): Qatari Premier and Interior Minister Shaikh Abdulla bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al-Thani today received French Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Jean-Marc Ayrault, on visit to Doha to attend the World Policy Conference.

The two sides review joint cooperation and ways of developing bilateral relations, in addition to regional and international and issues of mutual interest. The Qatari Premier also received Tunisia’s Assembly of Representatives of People First Vice President Abdelfattah Mourou and discussed bilateral relations.

A H N

US under Trump must remain ‘open to world’: French Foreign Minister

20.11.16

AFP

French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault on Sunday urged the United States to reject isolationism after president-elect Donald Trump takes office and to remain “open to the world”.

Speaking at the World Policy conference in Doha before around 250 decision-makers and delegates, Ayrault became the latest senior Western politician to reveal apparent concern over Trump’s forthcoming presidency.

“We need an American partner open to the world, fully engaged, cooperating with its allies,” said Ayrault.

He added that Washington should “avoid at all costs” any attempts to become isolationist.

France would be working with the newly-elected US president because “the United States is a friend of France and because our cooperation is indispensable”, said Ayrault, a former premier who took over the foreign ministry in February.

His comments came just hours after French President Francois Hollande warned that US commitments to reducing climate change and global warming were “irreversible”.

Trump has previously claimed climate change was a “hoax” and promised to cancel the hard-won Paris climate agreement aimed at limiting warming.
Speaking afterwards to reporters, Ayrault shrugged off concerns that a Trump victory could pave the way for a French presidential election victory next year for far-right leader Marine Le Pen.

“Why compare the United States with France when each country has its own traditions?” he asked.

“I respect the choice of the American people but at the same time I trust the French people and their intelligence.

“I know that the French people also know that France remains France with what it represents in the world, its values and its role,” he added.

US under Trump must remain ‘open to world’ – French FM

20.11.16

By Agence France-Presse

French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault on Sunday urged the United States to reject isolationism after president-elect Donald Trump takes office and to remain “open to the world”.

Speaking at the World Policy conference in Doha before around 250 decision-makers and delegates, Ayrault became the latest senior Western politician to reveal apparent concern over Trump’s forthcoming presidency.

“We need an American partner open to the world, fully engaged, cooperating with its allies,” said Ayrault.

He added that Washington should “avoid at all costs” any attempts to become isolationist.

France would be working with the newly-elected US president because “the United States is a friend of France and because our cooperation is indispensable”, said Ayrault, a former premier who took over the foreign ministry in February.

His comments came just hours after French President Francois Hollande warned that US commitments to reducing climate change and global warming were “irreversible”.

Trump has previously claimed climate change was a “hoax” and promised to cancel the hard-won Paris climate agreement aimed at limiting warming.

Speaking afterwards to reporters, Ayrault shrugged off concerns that a Trump victory could pave the way for a French presidential election victory next year for far-right leader Marine Le Pen.

“Why compare the United States with France when each country has its own traditions?” he asked.

“I respect the choice of the American people but at the same time I trust the French people and their intelligence.

“I know that the French people also know that France remains France with what it represents in the world, its values and its role,” he added.

La World Policy Conference ouvre en plein questionnement international

20.11.16

http://videos.lesechos.fr/lesechos/sujet-actus/la-world-policy-conference-ouvre-en-plein-questionnement-international/8qqu5k?sdTdKEuGXKuVPFzE.99

La 9eme édition de la World Policy Conférence s’est ouverte hier à Doha au Qatar en présence de Jean-Marc Ayrault, ministre des Affaires étrangères. Fondée par Thierry de Montbrial, président de l’Ifri, centrée sur la gouvernance mondiale en présence de personnalités du monde économique, politique et diplomatique, la conférence a d’abord évoqué le Moyen-Orient et s’est interrogée sur l’effet que pourrait avoir l’arrivée de Donald Trump à la Maison Blanche en janvier sur de nombreux sujets de relations internationales.

مؤتمر السياسات العالمية بقطر يناقش ما بعد فوز ترامب

20.11.16

انطلقت في العاصمة القطرية الدوحة، الأحد، أعمال “مؤتمر السياسات العالمية” التاسع، بمشاركة شخصيات دولية.

وشارك في افتتاح المؤتمر رئيس مجلس الوزراء القطري وزير الداخلية عبد الله بن ناصر بن خليفة آل ثاني، ورئيس الوزراء التركي السابق أحمد داوود أوغلو، ووزير الاقتصاد التركي السابق علي باباجان، ووزير الخارجية والتعاون الدولي الفرنسي جون مارك آيرولت، وفق ما نقلت وكالة الأناضول.

اقرأ أيضاً :

انطلاق تمرين “سور الخليج” للكليات العسكرية في قطر

ويشارك في المؤتمر الذي تنظمه “المؤسسة الفرنسية للعلاقات الدولية” في الدوحة بالتعاون مع المعهد الدبلوماسي بوزارة الخارجية القطرية، أكثر من 250 شخصية من صانعي القرارات من نحو 40 بلداً لمناقشة الرهانات الدولية الكبرى، على خلفية انتخاب الجمهوري دونالد ترامب رئيساً للولايات المتحدة.

وفي كلمته الافتتاحية، قال رئيس الوزراء القطري: إن “العالم المعاصر يعيش مرحلة غير معهودة، يزخر بالتحديات الجسيمة التي تواجه الأمن والاستقرار والتنمية المستدامة في ظل استمرار اختلال النظام العالمي الذي يعاني من ازدواجية المعايير في معالجة قضايا الشعوب”.

وأكد أن “تحقيق الاستقرار والأمن الجماعي يتطلبان من القوى الفاعلة في المجتمع الدولي، وبخاصة مجلس الأمن، الالتزام بالشرعية الدولية وتحمل المسؤولية الأخلاقية والقانونية لتحقيق إرادة الشعوب وتطلعاتها المشروعة في الاستقرار والأمن والحرية والتغيير”.

وأشار آل ثاني إلى أن “الكارثة الإنسانية التي يعاني منها الشعب السوري على يد النظام الحالي لا تزال تُلقي بتأثيرات كارثية على مجمل الأوضاع في منطقة الشرق الأوسط”.

من جهته، قال أحمد داود أوغلو، في كلمة له بالمؤتمر الذي ينعقد على مدار ثلاثة أيام: إن “العالم يواجه مشكلة كبيرة في عدم قابلية توقعنا للمسار المستقبلي”.

وتابع: “نأمل ألا تؤدي الاضطرابات التي يعيشها العالم إلى حرب عالمية ثالثة، وذلك في ظل الجهود التي يبذلها الخبراء وكبار المسؤولين وصناع القرار”.

ولفت إلى أن “السياسة العالمية تحتاج إلى سياسات دمجية لإصلاح المسار المتبع، حتى تصل إلى فهم مشترك وصادق بين كبار اللاعبين على الساحة الدولية”.

وشدد رئيس الوزراء التركي السابق على “ضرورة العمل لحوار حقيقي لدى أصحاب القرار في العالم لضمان تعزيز مبادئ الحكماء الدوليين؛ بدلاً من موازين القوى والمصالح الدولية”.

من جانبه، اعتبر وزير الخارجية الفرنسي جون مارك آيرولت، أن “منطق الاختيار بين داعش والأسد في سوريا مرفوض تماماً”.

وقال: إن “فرنسا تتوافق مع قطر ودول المنطقة أن ما يجري في سوريا هو حرب شاملة”.

وأكد أن “فكرة تقسيم المنطقة مرفوض تماماً، والمنطقة لا تتحمل المراهنة على سايكس بيكو جديدة”.

Prime Minister opens World Policy Conference

20.11.16

HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani and HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud  with  French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault and Turkey’s former prime minister Ahmet Davutoglu  at the opening  of the ninth edition of the World Policy Conference at Doha Sheraton Hotel yesterday. In his opening speech, the Prime Minister welcomed the participants and extended his thanks to French Institute of International Relations and to all those who contributed to the organisation of the conference. “We are all aware that our modern world is going through an unusual stage full of serious challenges for security, stability and sustainable development due to the continued disruption of the global system which suffers from double standards in dealing with peoples’ issues,” the Prime Minister said. “However, more efforts should be made to maximise what has been achieved in the field of scientific progress and investment in human accomplishments in all aspects of life which made it impossible for any country to remain in isolation and away from the international surrounding,” he added.

Qatar-France ties reviewed

20.11.16

HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani met the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development of France, Jean-Marc Ayrault, who was in Doha to participate in the World Policy Conference. Talks dealt with bilateral relations between Qatar and France and means of enhancing them, as well as regional and international issues of common concern. They also discussed topics on the conference’s agenda.

PM stresses need for genuine partnership between states

20.11.16

HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani opened the 9th edition of the World Policy Conference at Doha Sheraton Hotel yesterday.
The opening session was attended by a number of ministers, members of diplomatic missions accredited to Qatar and guests.
In his opening speech, the Prime Minister welcomed the participants, and extended his thanks to French Institute of International Relations and to all those who contributed to the organisation of this conference.
The Prime Minister said: “We are all aware that our modern world is going through an unusual stage full of serious challenges for security, stability and sustainable development due to the continued disruption of the global system which suffers from double standards in dealing with peoples’ issues.
“However, more efforts should be made to maximise what has been achieved in the field of scientific progress and investment in human accomplishments in all aspects of life which made it impossible for any country to remain in isolation and away from the international surrounding’’, the Prime Minister said, while underlining the importance of international co-operation and co-ordination and genuine partnership between states at the regional and international levels and between governments and peoples and civil society organisations.
He said that stability and collective security require all actors in the international community, especially the Security Council, to abide by international legitimacy and assume the moral and legal responsibility to achieve the will of the people and their legitimate aspirations for stability and security, freedom and change.
The biggest challenge in the Middle East remains the difficulties and obstacles facing the peace process between the Palestinians and Israel, he said, adding that achieving desired peace and stability in the region is only possible through full commitment by Israel to the foundations and principles of the peace process in accordance with the two-state solution agreed upon by the international community on the basis of international legitimacy decisions.
The absence of a comprehensive and just solution to the Palestinian issue threatens all attempts to pursue and consolidate the stability and security in the Middle East and indeed the world, the Prime Minister pointed out.
The Prime Minister noted the humanitarian disaster that Syrian people are suffering at the hands of the current Syrian regime still has disastrous effects on the overall situation in the Middle East and is a threat to the preservation of the unity of Syria’s territory and its people.
“If we examine the gravity of the violations of international humanitarian law committed by the Syrian regime in towns, villages and neighbourhoods in Syria, we will be perplexed at the great distance between the magnitudes [of the violations] and the positions of the international community’’, he said, adding that the continuation of this crisis requires from the international community, especially the Security Council, to bear legal and humanitarian responsibilities by implementing its decisions to impose a ceasefire and protect the Syrian people from murder and displacement.
He added that the humanitarian crisis in Syria requires all countries of the world to increase efforts to address it.
The Prime Minister reiterated the need for the international community, especially the United Nations, to develop a comprehensive perspective on the settlement of conflicts, ranging from prevention through mediation that aimed to prevent disputes from escalating into conflicts, to the stage of conflict management and reaching settlement built on the comprehensive peace agreements followed by the sustainability of peace and stability phase.
HE Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani said that the phenomenon of terrorism has become a serious threat to the Middle East and global stability in economic, political, social, security and development areas.
With regard to countering terrorism, he said that it should not be limited to the security aspects, despite its importance, stressing the need for collective efforts to confront terrorism at the national, regional and international level, including cultural, intellectual, ideological, economic, social and media fronts.
In this context, Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani said that all are aware of the need to take advantage of youth’s energies and abilities as they are the future of the nations, adding that this will be achieved only by protecting them and fulfilling their hopes and aspirations which require taking the necessary measures to deal with their problems so as not to be easy prey for terrorist groups.
The Prime Minister said that the world is still looking for the potentials to stimulate economic growth and improve its pace as an important input for the realisation of social justice and stability that people aspire to.
He stressed that development challenges must be faced and its risks and negative effects on the political and social stability must be overcome, especially in the least developed countries, calling on the international community to support the efforts of these countries to achieve their goals in economic and social development as well as other fields through the fulfilment of the international commitments on development aid in all its forms.
The Premier pointed out that Qatar has spared no effort in providing development assistance and fulfilling its international obligations in this regard for many regions of the world, adding that the country has made great achievements in sustainable development, particularly in areas such as education, health, employment, youth, human rights and economic growth thanks to the wise leadership of HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and his keenness to achieve the aspirations of the Qatari people in all aspects of life.

Resolving Palestinian-Israeli conflict key to peace

Middle East stability and achieving peace and security in the region will not be attained unless there is a fair solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault has said.
Addressing the 9th World Policy Conference, Ayrault said the situation is deteriorating everyday, settlement persists and political solutions are lacking, which feeds frustration and risks the death of the two-state solution. However, he stressed the importance of carrying on with efforts to implement the two-state solution, highlighting the power of dialogue, negotiation and reconciliation in facing challenges.
Ayrault said Europe is connected to the Arab world and France has multifaceted relations that can’t be reduced to economic aspects, adding that the ISIS group wants to turn France into an enemy for the Islamic world, which is a kind of talk that calls for segregation, and drags the world to conflict among civilisations.
The French minister stressed the importance of creating a partnership between the East and the West.

PM stresses need for genuine partnership between states

20.11.16

QNA/Doha

HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani opened the 9th edition of the World Policy Conference at Doha Sheraton Hotel yesterday.
The opening session was attended by a number of ministers, members of diplomatic missions accredited to Qatar and guests.
In his opening speech, the Prime Minister welcomed the participants, and extended his thanks to French Institute of International Relations and to all those who contributed to the organisation of this conference.
The Prime Minister said: “We are all aware that our modern world is going through an unusual stage full of serious challenges for security, stability and sustainable development due to the continued disruption of the global system which suffers from double standards in dealing with peoples’ issues.
“However, more efforts should be made to maximise what has been achieved in the field of scientific progress and investment in human accomplishments in all aspects of life which made it impossible for any country to remain in isolation and away from the international surrounding’’, the Prime Minister said, while underlining the importance of international co-operation and co-ordination and genuine partnership between states at the regional and international levels and between governments and peoples and civil society organisations.
He said that stability and collective security require all actors in the international community, especially the Security Council, to abide by international legitimacy and assume the moral and legal responsibility to achieve the will of the people and their legitimate aspirations for stability and security, freedom and change.
The biggest challenge in the Middle East remains the difficulties and obstacles facing the peace process between the Palestinians and Israel, he said, adding that achieving desired peace and stability in the region is only possible through full commitment by Israel to the foundations and principles of the peace process in accordance with the two-state solution agreed upon by the international community on the basis of international legitimacy decisions.
The absence of a comprehensive and just solution to the Palestinian issue threatens all attempts to pursue and consolidate the stability and security in the Middle East and indeed the world, the Prime Minister pointed out.
The Prime Minister noted the humanitarian disaster that Syrian people are suffering at the hands of the current Syrian regime still has disastrous effects on the overall situation in the Middle East and is a threat to the preservation of the unity of Syria’s territory and its people.
“If we examine the gravity of the violations of international humanitarian law committed by the Syrian regime in towns, villages and neighbourhoods in Syria, we will be perplexed at the great distance between the magnitudes [of the violations] and the positions of the international community’’, he said, adding that the continuation of this crisis requires from the international community, especially the Security Council, to bear legal and humanitarian responsibilities by implementing its decisions to impose a ceasefire and protect the Syrian people from murder and displacement.
He added that the humanitarian crisis in Syria requires all countries of the world to increase efforts to address it.
The Prime Minister reiterated the need for the international community, especially the United Nations, to develop a comprehensive perspective on the settlement of conflicts, ranging from prevention through mediation that aimed to prevent disputes from escalating into conflicts, to the stage of conflict management and reaching settlement built on the comprehensive peace agreements followed by the sustainability of peace and stability phase.
HE Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani said that the phenomenon of terrorism has become a serious threat to the Middle East and global stability in economic, political, social, security and development areas.
With regard to countering terrorism, he said that it should not be limited to the security aspects, despite its importance, stressing the need for collective efforts to confront terrorism at the national, regional and international level, including cultural, intellectual, ideological, economic, social and media fronts.
In this context, Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani said that all are aware of the need to take advantage of youth’s energies and abilities as they are the future of the nations, adding that this will be achieved only by protecting them and fulfilling their hopes and aspirations which require taking the necessary measures to deal with their problems so as not to be easy prey for terrorist groups.
The Prime Minister said that the world is still looking for the potentials to stimulate economic growth and improve its pace as an important input for the realisation of social justice and stability that people aspire to.
He stressed that development challenges must be faced and its risks and negative effects on the political and social stability must be overcome, especially in the least developed countries, calling on the international community to support the efforts of these countries to achieve their goals in economic and social development as well as other fields through the fulfilment of the international commitments on development aid in all its forms.
The Premier pointed out that Qatar has spared no effort in providing development assistance and fulfilling its international obligations in this regard for many regions of the world, adding that the country has made great achievements in sustainable development, particularly in areas such as education, health, employment, youth, human rights and economic growth thanks to the wise leadership of HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and his keenness to achieve the aspirations of the Qatari people in all aspects of life.

Resolving Palestinian-Israeli conflict key to peace

Middle East stability and achieving peace and security in the region will not be attained unless there is a fair solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault has said.
Addressing the 9th World Policy Conference, Ayrault said the situation is deteriorating everyday, settlement persists and political solutions are lacking, which feeds frustration and risks the death of the two-state solution. However, he stressed the importance of carrying on with efforts to implement the two-state solution, highlighting the power of dialogue, negotiation and reconciliation in facing challenges.
Ayrault said Europe is connected to the Arab world and France has multifaceted relations that can’t be reduced to economic aspects, adding that the ISIS group wants to turn France into an enemy for the Islamic world, which is a kind of talk that calls for segregation, and drags the world to conflict among civilisations.
The French minister stressed the importance of creating a partnership between the East and the West.

Ayrault : Un dialogue avec Assad ne mènerait à rien

20.11.16

Doha, de Michel Touma | OLJ

Le chef du Quai d’Orsay, Jean Marc Ayrault, a rejeté ce matin à Doha, au Qatar, l’équation selon laquelle la situation en Syrie a atteint un point tel qu’il faut choisir entre le régime de Bachar el-Assad et l’Etat islamique.

M. Ayrault a réaffirmé la position de la France sur ce plan au premier jour de la 9e session de la Conférence sur la gouvernance mondiale (World Policy Conference, WPC) qui a entamé ses travaux dimanche matin à l’hôtel Sheraton de Doha, à l’initiative de l’Institut français des Relations internationales (IFRI), dirigé par M. Thierry de Montbrial.
La séance d’ouverture de la Conférence a été marquée par des discours de M. de Montbrial, du Premier ministre et ministre de l’Intérieur du Qatar, cheikh Abdallah ben Nasser al-Thani, et de M. Ayrault, qui a tenu par la suite un point de presse à l’hôtel.

Le chef de la diplomatie française a notamment souligné dans ce cadre qu’un éventuel dialogue avec Bachar el-Assad “serait stérile et ne mènerait à rien”. Qualifiant le régime Assad de “barbare” et stigmatisant les bombardements contre les quartiers assiégés d’Alep, M. Ayrault s’est déclaré opposé à toute “partition de la Syrie”, indiquant par ailleurs que la bataille de Raqqa avait commencé “et durera longtemps”, précisant à ce propos que le problème qui se pose au stade actuel est de savoir qui remplacerait Daëch une fois la localité libérée. M. Ayrault a préconisé dans ce cadre que toutes les composantes du tissu social syrien soient présentes à Raqqa après sa libération. “Ce serait ainsi un modèle pour une Syrie unie”, a-t-il notamment déclaré.

Interrogé en outre que les nouvelles orientations de la politique étrangère des Etats-Unis après l’élection de Donald Trump, le chef du Quai d’Orsay a estimé qu’il fallait attendre de connaître l’identité du futur Secrétaire d’Etat avant de se prononcer sur la question.

La Conférence sur la gouvernance mondiale poursuivra ses travaux cet après-midi ainsi que demain, lundi, et mardi prochain, 22 novembre.