Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Dr. Nayef Al-Hajraf condemned on Saturday remarks by Germany’s Interior Minister Nancy Faeser over Qatar’s hosting of the football World Cup in November.
In a statement published by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Al-Hajraf underscored the stance of GCC countries in supporting Qatar in confronting any interference in its internal affairs.
The GCC supports Doha as it confronts claims that do not serve the establishment of natural relations between countries, deeming the meddling a violation of norms, traditions, diplomacy and international laws.
Qatar continues to forge ahead in making achievements and hosting the landmark event next month, he added, saying it was a “deserved source of pride” for the nation.
Al-Hajraf praised the pioneering role Qatar is playing in building bridges between civilizations and bolstering understanding between peoples within the boundaries of mutual respect.
On Friday, Qatar announced that it had summoned the German ambassador over Faeser’s remarks, handing him a memo of complaint.
The Foreign Ministry said it summoned the ambassador to convey its “disappointment and complete rejection and condemnation” of Faeser's remarks, demanding a clarification.
In the complaint, the ministry expressed Qatar's complete rejection of those remarks made towards a country whose hosting of the World Cup was justice done to a region suffering from an unjust stereotype for decades, reported Qatar’s state news agency QNA.
Qatar is determined to organize one of the best editions to showcase the region's civilization and heritage to the whole world, it stressed.
The memo said Faeser’s remarks ahead of her official visit to Doha next week violated diplomatic norms and conventions, especially in light of the distinguished ties between Qatar and Germany in all fields.
The memo noted that the most prominent human rights groups and UN agencies praised the reforms implemented by Qatar in the labor field, given they were effective and long-term, as well as being a result of years of planning and studies. The memo highlighted that the reforms included many labor laws and practices related to them.
Advisor to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Majed bin Mohammed Al Ansari described the German official's remarks as unacceptable and provocative to the Qatari people.
He stressed that it was unacceptable for politicians to try and score political points locally at the expense of their relations with other countries.
