HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani yesterday sponsored the opening of the 37th ordinary session of the Advisory Council at its premises. The opening ceremony was attended by HH the Heir Apparent Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and the Private Adviser to the Emir HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Thani. The opening ceremony was also attended by HE the Premier and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor al-Thani and a number of Sheikhs, ministers, heads of the diplomatic missions accredited to Qatar and state dignitaries. Addressing the gathering, the Emir said that such an annual meeting was aimed at confirming “our collective resolve, our joint efforts and mobilised energies to go forward on the course we have chosen for Qatar’s progress and high standing and the realisation of prosperity for its people.” HE Mohamed bin Mubarak al-Kholeifi, the Advisory Council Speaker, delivered an address in which he highlighted the numerous and tangible accomplishments Qatar has achieved in industry, health, education and the infrastructure projects. The Speaker said the achievements were made under directives of HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani in view of the high importance of these sectors in the lives of the Qatari citizens. He praised the measures the government had adopted for facing the global financial crisis and the Emir’s endorsement of the Qatar National Vision 2030 for the principles and objectives it contains to realise the needs of the present generation and preserve the rights of the coming generations as well. Al-Kholeifi expressed the hope that the first summit conference on development finance to be held in Doha later this month to come up with results which will enhance international partnership and encourage the spirit and goals of the conference. He also hoped that the 29th GCC summit conference due to open in Muscat, Oman, would realise the ambitions of the Gulf citizens. The Speaker welcomed the hosting by Qatar of the 21st Arab summit in March 2009 and lauded the state’s stand on consolidating and supporting the brotherly Palestinian people and its efforts for reconciliation between the rival Palestinian factions and unifying their struggle against the occupation. Al-Kholeifi also praised Qatar’s move to resolve the Darfur crisis and reconcile the conflicting parties there to achieve security and peace to maintain Sudan’s unity and sovereignty. He hailed as well the Doha accord to resolve the political crisis in Lebanon noting that Qatar’s efforts succeeded in defusing the crisis to maintain Lebanon’s national interests and safeguard its future, prosperity and security. – QNA

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