Qatar's foreign minister stressed the country's determination to press ahead with its active democratization drive, taking into consideration the society's well-established traditions and religious beliefs, reported the Gulf News on Tuesday.
“Qatar favors democracy and free trade as a sound means to attain development and growth on the basis of encouraging creative individual initiatives, responsible freedom, social justice, as well as political and economic openness,” Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabor Al Thani, said in his address after inaugurating a Qatari-American Conference on Free Trade and Democracy.
The meeting will address issues ranging from democracy, religious tolerance and human rights to free trade and economic growth, said the paper.
“Qatar strongly believes in the dynamic role of the private sector as a catalyst of investment, which is essential for growth and higher living standards,” he said.
The minister underlined Qatar's respect for human rights and its rejection of any form of discrimination on the basis of race, color or faith – Albawaba.com
"Qatar is keen to maintain good relations with all countries in the world on the basis of friendship, cooperation, mutual respect and common interests," the Foreign Minister said urging world nations to settle their disputes - both on bilateral and regional levels - by peaceful means and in line with the international resolutions.
He expressed confidence that Qatar and the U.S. would be able to maintain fruitful cooperation to serve what he termed "common objectives" despite possible differences in means. Keynote speaker, Congressman Nick Rahall of Lebanese origin, thanked Qatar for hosting U.S. troops saying that U.S. interests often coincide with those of Arabs.He pointed to democracy, human rights, free trade and growth as prominent objectives of the meeting.
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