Economy Minister : Measures Taken By Siege Countries Violate International Laws, Conventions and Norms

Doha, July 17 (QNA) - HE Minister of Economy and Commerce Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al-Thani has underlined that the measures taken by the siege countries are in violation of international laws, conventions and norms and are contrary to intellectual property rights as well as the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement, which stipulates the need to ensure that no obstacles are added to trade between the member countries. HE the Minister of Economy and Commerce made the remarks during his visit to the Republic of Switzerland, during which he met with heads of international organizations and a group of lawyers from a legal firm specializing in WTO issues in Geneva. A statement issued by the Ministry of Economy and Commerce this evening said that HE Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al-Thani had met with a number of presidents of international economic and trade organizations in the Swiss capital, Geneva, to discuss the crisis caused by the siege countries against the State of Qatar which resulted in arbitrary measures, such as travel bans, border closures, air, land and sea ports closure with the State, in violation of international laws, conventions and norms, as well as a number of international, regional and local principles, conventions, provisions and laws. HE The Minister of Economy and Commerce stressed that these measures are also contrary to the principles and provisions of the WTO agreements, especially the most-favored-nation principle that no goods should be discriminated against by any member state compared to other goods and services, whether produced within the importing State or exported from any other State. HE the Minister pointed out that the measures taken by the siege countries of the blockade are contrary to the intellectual property rights and the trade facilitation agreement, which stipulates the need to ensure that no obstacles are added to trade between the member countries. He stressed that these countries have suddenly, and without prior notice, and without resorting to the use of the mechanisms adopted by international organizations, as stipulated in international, regional and bilateral agreements, to close all their land and sea and air ports to the State of Qatar. HE Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al-Thani said that the siege countries had gone further to embargo passage of Qatari aircrafts through their airspaces as well as not to allow ships loaded with goods of traders and Qatari companies located in these countries or destined for the State of Qatar to enter their ports, provided that such goods are returned to the country of origin and not to allow exportation of their national products to the State of Qatar and not to allow national or foreign service companies located in their territories to deal with Qatari companies, while preventing postal and transportation companies from operating through their territories to the State of Qatar. In addition, banks and financial companies were barred from dealing in Qatari riyals, and Qatari businessmen and companies were prevented from disposing of their property and goods in warehouses and free zones in these countries. They are still considering all the means they could use to harm the Qatari economy, HE the Minister added. These countries have also placed restrictions on Qatari investments, including the closure of Qatari companies, the expulsion of their managers and the prevention of Qatari investors from disposing of their property, without any compensation for losses. HE Minister of Economy and Commerce Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al-Thani said that the State of Qatar, under the directives of HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, took all the measures necessary to stand against the illegal siege, provide products and services, as well as maintain the stability of Qatari markets. HE the Minister added that the State of Qatar succeeded in that regard. HE the Minister of Economy and Commerce and his accompanying delegation also met with a group of lawyers from a firm specialized in World Trade Organization (WTO) legal disputes, which was hired to study all the illegal measures taken by the siege countries against the State of Qatar. His Excellency also met with HE Director-General of the WTO Ambassador Roberto Azevedo, HE Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum Professor Klaus Schwab, and HE Director-General of the World Intellectual Property Organization Dr Francis Gurry. HE the Minister of Economy and Commerce said that the State of Qatar will take all the necessary legal measures and will seek international organizations, regional and international courts to file lawsuits against the siege countries. His Excellency said that those countries will be required to compensate the Qatari private sector for the losses they have incurred, which are large sums. His Excellency added that non-Qatari companies operating in the State of Qatar will sue the siege countries to request damages for the losses it incurred. HE Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al-Thani stressed on the strength of the Qatari economy and on its ability to overcome the current challenges. His Excellency noted that the State of Qatar have clear, applicable plans and strategies that were placed through an institutional framework, in line with the pillars established by HH the Emir that aim to provide an honorable living to citizens and residents. His Excellency highlighted that many international reports released in past years have shown that the State of Qatar led the economies of the Middle-East and North Africa. HE the Minister also highlighted that the State of Qatar was the first country in the world to achieve savings of 56 percent of GDP. HE the Minister of Economy and Commerce said that the State of Qatar, as part of its efforts in diversifying the economy and growing its productive base, sought to strengthen cooperation ties with its trade partners. This was done in order to guarantee attracting the national and foreign investment and facilitating the flow of products and services in the country's markets. (QNA)