Mr. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, took part on 30 April in Doha in the opening ceremony of the third session of the Arab Economic and Cooperation Forum with Central Asian countries and the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Gamal Roshdy, the spokesperson for the Secretary-General, noted that Mr. Aboul Gheit delivered a speech expressing profound gratitude to the leadership, government, and people of the State of Qatar for their generous hospitality and for hosting the third session of the forum.
Roshdy conveyed that Mr. Aboul Gheit highlighted the interconnectedness of the Arab region, Central Asian countries, and Azerbaijan, emphasising their shared geographical, civilisational, and cultural heritage. He emphasised how relations have evolved over decades, forming a collective cultural asset that instills pride.
Mr. Aboul Gheit underscored the League of Arab States' ongoing efforts to strengthen cooperation with various regional groups. He stressed the importance of fostering fruitful Arab cooperation with Central Asian countries and Azerbaijan, given their proximity and historical ties. He advocated for establishing an institutional framework to regulate and nurture joint relations, providing a platform for consultation on matters essential for mutual development and stability.
Mr. Aboul Gheit cautioned about the intertwined challenges and crises faced by both sides, particularly highlighting the grave consequences of the brutal Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip. He condemned this aggression as yet another in a series of crimes committed by Israel, including the ongoing occupation.
Roshdy further stated that in his speech, the Secretary-General highlighted the gravity of recent events, revealing Israel's agenda to eradicate the Palestinian cause by resorting to forced displacement, a scheme vehemently opposed by Arabs, Muslims, and the global community. This strategy aims to divert international attention from Israel's atrocities in Gaza by instigating new conflicts, potentially sparking a regional war.
Mr. Aboul Gheit urgently appealed for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, stressing its humanitarian imperative to halt one of the gravest crimes against humanity in the twenty-first century.
At the Arab level, Mr. Aboul Gheit reiterated the League's steadfast stance towards resolving crises in Syria, Sudan, Libya, and Yemen through comprehensive political consensus, cessation of foreign interference, and preservation of territorial integrity.
Concerning economic cooperation between Arab countries, Central Asian nations, and Azerbaijan, the Secretary-General emphasised the importance of prioritising trade exchange and expanding investment opportunities. He noted that the current level of trade between these groups falls short of their collective ambitions and capabilities.
It's worth mentioning that the aforementioned forum was initiated under the auspices of the League of Arab States by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 2008. A memorandum of cooperation was signed between the General Secretariat of the League and the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Central Asian countries and the Republic of Azerbaijan on 13 May 2014 in Riyadh on the sidelines of the inaugural session of the forum.
