Security issues, strategies top the second day agenda at IISS Manama Dialogue
TDT | Manama
The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com
Staff Reporter
Wars end when diplomacy wins and wars begin when diplomacy fails, observed Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Abdullatif Al Zayani.
The minister was speaking on the second day of IISS Manama Dialogue being held at The Ritz Carlton Bahrain when he made this remark.
The veteran diplomat said he is confident that right diplomatic initiatives can solve all conflicts and security crises across the globe, “provided there are united efforts among nations and institutions in this regard”.
“Take any conflict for instance, Russia-Ukraine, Yemen or Armenia-Azerbaijan and we can see that huge diplomatic efforts including from the part of the Kingdom of Bahrain are in place to end the crises.
We are working tirelessly to end these conflicts using diplomacy and I am certain that dialogue can deliver peace goals.”
The three Cs Dr Al Zayani highlighted ‘‘the three Cs” that constitute the basic pillars of diplomatic initiatives. “Consistency, Cohesion and Connectivity.
By Consistency, I mean respecting international laws, resolving disputes under the framework of international laws and refraining from the internal affairs of others.
“Cohesion is the call for unity. United efforts are vital to the success of all diplomatic missions. We are stronger when we are together.
Connectivity is all about building partnerships as well as building a network of resilience and deterrence.”
Dr Al Zayani also cautioned against external powers using regional proxies to sell their interests.
“Left unchecked, extra-regional conflicts can create a vicious cycle leading to a highly dangerous situation.”
“Owing to the geo-strategic importance of the Middle East, It is very much likely that the focus of external powers and their direct interference in the affairs of the region will continue in the foreseeable future.”
He warned that the differences between the countries in the region can provide incentives for others to “get inside and advance their interests by providing direct supports”.
Dr Al Zayani highlighted the peace initiatives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa including the visit of His Holiness Pope Francis to the Kingdom.
External forces crucial to ME security The Foreign Minister opined that external forces have an important role in enhancing the security of the Middle East.
“By continuing to press for a solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in accordance with the principle of the two-state solution, or by supporting the Abraham Accords, there is room for the countries of the region to play a principled and constructive role in helping to face international challenges.”
Diplomacy is the way The Foreign Minister stressed that diplomacy is the only way to achieve our goals in a sustainable manner and that the countries of the region and other countries must realize the need to reach peaceful and political solutions to all regional issues and conflicts.
He added that the values of dialogue, coexistence, mutual respect and cooperation have continuously strengthened the foreign policies of the Kingdom of Bahrain because the Kingdom believes that this constructive approach is the best way to ensure peace, security and stability in our region and the world at large.
The panel discussion, where Dr Al Zayani spoke, was held under the theme ‘The Impact of Conflicts Outside the Region’.
Pekka Haavisto, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Finland, and Tobias Linder, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany, also took part in the discussion.
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