At the summit in Ankara, Qatar and Kuwait announced their intention to strengthen cooperation with NATO
Qatar and Kuwait stated that strengthening cooperation with NATO is of great importance for regional and global security.
Representatives of Qatar and Kuwait took part in a meeting of foreign ministers within the framework of NATO's Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI), held in Ankara.
According to a statement from the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the state minister overseeing the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mohammed bin Abdulaziz al-Khalifi, who led the Qatari delegation, delivered a speech at the NATO Istanbul Cooperation Initiative foreign ministers' meeting.
In his speech, Minister Khalifi stated that Doha attaches great importance to developing cooperation with NATO within the framework of the ICI, established in 2004.
Khalifi emphasized that Qatar supports efforts to develop practical cooperation with NATO, is committed to contributing to joint initiatives to address mutual security challenges and build capacity.
The Qatari minister announced that an agreement had been reached between Qatar and NATO within the framework of the Individual Partnership and Cooperation Programme (ITPP), but did not disclose details of the agreement.
This program is defined as a comprehensive strategic framework for managing and directing areas of civilian and military cooperation between the two parties.
Khalifi also reported that the process of establishing a regional peace operations center, planned to open in Qatar under the auspices of NATO, is entering its final stage.
Noting that the meeting is taking place at a time when security threats and political threats are increasingly intertwined, Khalifi stressed the need to strengthen joint efforts and coordination to address issues affecting the security of the Middle East and regional stability.
He called for prioritizing diplomacy, dialogue, and joint initiatives to preserve regional peace and stability.
Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber al-Ahmed al-Sabah, in his speech, expressed a desire to intensify joint work with NATO within the framework of the ICI and expand areas of cooperation in countering existing and emerging threats in the region.
Minister Sabah noted that the presence of a NATO and ICI regional center in his country reflects the strength of the partnership between the two sides, as well as their commitment to coordination and constructive dialogue.
Touching also on regional developments, Sabah stated that his country condemns Iran's attacks on Kuwait and its civilian facilities, emphasizing that this constitutes a clear violation of the country's sovereignty.
He expressed hope that the memorandum of understanding signed between the United States and Iran would contribute to strengthening regional security and stability through dialogue, in which the security concerns of the Gulf countries would also be taken into account.
The minister called for organizing a joint ministerial-level meeting in 2027 in Kuwait between the countries of the "Istanbul Cooperation Initiative" and NATO members, noting that this meeting would contribute to achieving common goals and strengthening regional security and stability.
The "Istanbul Cooperation Initiative," launched in 2004, functions as a partnership platform designed to promote global and regional security by enabling cooperation between non-NATO Middle Eastern countries and the alliance.
This year, the meeting was attended by Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates.
Source: Anadolu
