The following is the transcript of the interview of HE Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani, the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, with Qatar TV on November 22.
Question 1: Your Excellency, many Qatari people and residents are asking about the recent political situation in the GCC. What is the cause of this crisis?
Answer: In the beginning it must be emphasised that there is no disagreement with the blockading countries on borders, customs or security issues. In fact we have the same queries! 
* No Disagreement
Did the alleged dispute arise because of the successes the State of Qatar has achieved regionally and globally, and our support for humanitarian issues or our support for the stability of the region or our respect for the demands of the people? Or is it really because of Qatar hosting the World Cup? Or is it to interfere in our internal affairs?
The truth is the goal of this crisis is clear to all by now: interference in the internal affairs of Qatar. This is unacceptable and is a red line for us, and the people of Qatar.
In general, the State of Qatar is continuing to implement all its major projects, including World Cup projects, to be completed, God willing, ahead of time. And we have always said, from the first day of our winning the bid to host the World Cup that this event is not only for Qataris, but also for all Arabs.
God willing the World Cup will be a great event organised by Qatar, and will be a source of pride for all of us Arabs. 
Question 2: What about the possibility of resolving this crisis?
Answer: This is not the first crisis or disagreement that has occurred between GCC countries. Previously, these have always been solved through dialogue and direct contact. Today, in this crisis, there has to be a will and good intentions to resolve it, especially among the Gulf countries, which have strong brotherly ties. 
The position of Qatar has been clear since the beginning of the crisis: dialogue is the only way to end this crisis, and the State of Qatar is open to dialogue provided that the sovereignty of states and the principle of non-interference in internal affairs are maintained.
If any of the blockading countries have comments for us, each side must present their case and evidence and they must be discussed in an atmosphere of mutual respect as we are accustomed to in the Gulf.  
Question 3: How was the 2014 crisis resolved? We know that you played a key role in it?
Answer: Under the directives of His Highness the Emir, and a few days after the withdrawal of the ambassadors [in 2014], there was an opportunity at the meeting of Arab ministers of interior in the sisterly Kingdom of Morocco, where I met with officials from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, specifically to discuss the crisis at that time, despite the circumstances that the two countries were going through.
As ever, friendship and brotherly relations are capable of overcoming any crisis. As such, the matter was discussed with officials from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to start bilateral negotiations until the appropriate environment was found to hold formal meetings at the leaders level. We also agreed on a framework that would not infringe on the sovereignty of any state, which is something that we are very insistent on and, as I previously mentioned, constitutes a red line, and then the signing of the framework stated in the Riyadh Agreement after all sides agreed to it.  I’d like to note the stance and steadfastness of His Highness the Emir who insisted that the sovereignty of the State of Qatar will not be affected in any way. After this, the follow-up meetings on the progress of the decisions were held, as a prelude to the meeting of leaders, which was held in Riyadh. The crisis was resolved in that meeting, and the agreement was implemented by all sides, until the recent crisis in 2017.  
This means that for each case there are preliminary procedures; sitting at the negotiating table requires prior arrangements, and certain issues are even agreed on prior to the start of negotiations – which is what we are used to in our GCC meetings. I will be honest with you: our gathering at the meeting table is formal, but the nature of brotherly relations always prevails, regardless of the extent of the dispute. 
I would like to point out that we are facing great challenges in our region, most of which require serious co-operation to be resolved. These issues cannot be resolved with individual efforts alone. Here, I’d like to highlight the issue of combating terrorism, because terrorism is the number one enemy for all of us. 
Question 4: Your Excellency, since you have mentioned terrorism, and you are the Chair of the Supreme Committee for Combating Terrorism, can you please comment on the accusations levelled against the State of Qatar of supporting terrorism? 
Answer: This accusation is false, and has other aims, which are known to everyone. 
lAccusation not based on reality
Furthermore, this accusation contradicts the international recognition of the State of Qatar’s efforts to combat terrorism. It also contrasts with what my counterparts, the interior ministers in the GCC know, given that I too am a minister of interior, about the efforts of Qatar in safeguarding the security of every citizen in the Gulf – regardless of what is being said in the media. 
To be honest, since I became the minister of interior, His Highness the Emir gave me clear directives, when he was still His Highness the Heir Apparent, and again when he became the Emir in 2013: The security and safety of Qatari citizens carries the same importance for us as the security and safety of GCC citizens.  
Qatar played a role in the detection of terrorist cells in the region, especially in some GCC countries, and I am very surprised by this accusation, which has no basis in reality. 
Qatar has also taken proactive steps in the fight against terrorism.
For example: We signed a memorandum of understanding with the United States on countering terror financing, which comes as part of the continuous co-operation with the United States in the exchange of expertise and information, in addition to our co-operation with many countries in this regard.
His Highness the Emir was the first leader to respond to the Riyadh Summit which was held to discuss efforts for countering terror financing. On that day, no one accused Qatar of financing terrorism!  
Question 5: Your Excellency, what is your comment on the absence of the GCC in light of the events and developments taking place in the Gulf region and the Arab region?
Answer: The Middle East region, including the Gulf region and the Arab region, faces serious challenges at present, because so far, many issues have not yet been resolved. 
lAbsence of GCC’s role
There is no doubt that the GCC has played an important role in alleviating or finding solutions to some of the issues in the region. The absence of the GCC’s role at this time has a negative impact on resolving these issues.
In addition, as part of our national responsibility to our people, it is imperative for all of us to work to maintain the existence of the GCC and to resort to dialogue to resolve any issues, but I repeat, without infringing on the sovereignty of states. 
Question 6: Your Excellency, what about Qatar’s relationship with the international community during this crisis?
Answer: Thanks to the wise leadership and the vision of His Highness the Emir, Qatar enjoys good and special relations with the international community. During this crisis, we have endeavoured to consolidate these relations with many countries of the world within the framework of our foreign policy principles, which include mutual respect, non-interference in the internal affairs of countries, as well as effective co-operation in the achievement of international peace and security and the resolution of disputes through peaceful means.
Qatar is always keen to strengthen its relationship with other countries. Our goal is to achieve the interests of the state and the citizens, as well as mutual interests with other countries. This is what strengthens the status of Qatar regionally and internationally.
Question 7: Your Excellency, some reports coming out of the blockading countries claim that the mediation efforts of HH the Emir of Kuwait are over? 
Answer: We in Qatar, appreciate and value the sincere efforts and well-intentioned endeavours undertaken by His Highness Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah, Emir of the state of Kuwait, and his wisdom since the beginning of the crisis to contain this crisis within the Gulf. Qatar has supported his mediation efforts and continues to do so, and so has the international community. In my view the solution to the crisis will come only from within the Gulf. 
* Solution from within the Gulf
I would like to thank the brotherly and friendly countries that have supported and continue to support this mediation.
Question 8: Your Excellency, what is the impact of this blockade on Qatar’s economy?
Answer: Certainly, strengthening Qatar’s economy is a top priority for the country. In all my meetings with His Highness the Emir, he asks me about the conditions of citizens and residents, as well as the economic situation of the country.
Thanks to God, followed by the good guidance of His Highness the Emir, we succeeded in facing the challenges of this crisis. 
I believe citizens and residents share my opinion that the impact of this crisis is very mild, because thanks to God, two weeks after the beginning of the crisis, things returned to normal. In fact, everyone worked very hard and diligently during the crisis, and I’d like to commend everyone who worked hard, because the result is clear, which is the successful overcoming of the crisis, whilst also learning lessons. 
From my personal point of view, this crisis was like a wake-up call for us in many areas. We worked – and still are working – day and night under the leadership of His Highness the Emir, because he follows every detail that is of concern to citizens and residents. Thank God, we are now doing well, and we do not have any problems, and if problems arise we have many solutions. 
* lQatar’s economy is strong
To reassure citizens and residents, I would like to say: Qatar’s economy, thank God, enjoys a strong position and is supported by huge monetary and financial reserves capable of supporting the Qatari currency and the Qatari economy.
I assure you that we have sufficient capabilities to face the challenges that our economy may face and that we are continuing to build our country, and we shall emerge from this crisis, as His Highness the Emir said, stronger than before.
Question 9: What about attempts by some of the blockading countries to undermine the value and strength of the Qatari riyal?
Answer: Yes, this is true. During the crisis there were illegal attempts by some to tamper with the Qatari currency and they tried to influence its value at the beginning of the blockade. However, thank God, this attempt, like others, has failed, and we issued a statement on this subject. 
I would like to assure you that we are not letting this issue pass, but we are countering these attempts in line with the law and will take all legal measures against anyone who participated in this crime.
Question 10: What is the status of local products? Are there initiatives by the State to encourage them? 
Answer: Certainly, we always encourage national production, so we have created many initiatives to encourage the local private sector, and give it the appropriate privileges, including lands, facilities and exemptions which, God willing, will enable it to grow significantly in the coming years.
We will emphasise on food, water and pharmaceutical security projects and God willing, we will increase our self-sufficiency.
Question 11: Your Excellency, many citizens are wondering: Why didn’t the State of Qatar rely on itself in some basic materials such as foodstuffs, building materials and the likes, despite the availability of financial resources?
Answer: We were not oblivious to the issue of the lack of production of some food products. I mean we have factories and large fields exporting oil and gas to the world, which we successfully manage, so do you think we cannot establish factories for dairy, food and other material? But we were importing most of the food from the blockading countries or through them, because at the time we believed in the economic integration of the GCC, and we did not want to produce goods to compete in the Gulf market. 
At the beginning of the crisis, His Highness the Emir told me, verbatim: “The citizens and the residents are your responsibility. We do not want them to be affected [by this] at all.” 
For example, at the beginning of the crisis, we were importing about 90% of dairy from the blockading countries, but thankfully, within the first few hours of the beginning of the crisis, we were able to cover the needs of our market from other markets in the region and beyond. 
But I would like to point out that today our dairy production covers 40% of the needs of the Qatari market. We are currently working on increasing the production of meat, poultry and agricultural products, as well as fish farming. We will achieve self-sufficiency in some products in the coming year, God willing, as this is a clear directive from His Highness the Emir. 
Question 12: Your Excellency, what is next for Qatar’s economy? 
Answer: The economic vision of Qatar at this stage was determined by the directives of His Highness the Emir in his speech before the Shura Council. 
The first step was to continue diversifying the sources of economy and income away from oil. The government is working to implement these directives, by creating a more competitive economic environment that can better attract investment, and of course the public sector plays an important role in the implementation of this plan. However, as His Highness the Emir said, the private sector must be aware of its role in the development of the state, and soon, God willing, many strategic projects for the State will be announced, including new free zones to attract domestic and foreign investments, the localisation of some industries in Qatar, the protection of local products, and the provision of low-cost storage areas, which will bring great benefits to the State, the private sector, citizens and residents. 
*Permanent Residency Law 
In addition, during his chairing of the Council of Ministers’ meeting last August, His Highness the Emir also gave directives to accelerate the finalisation of the Permanent Residency Law, which would allow permanent residency holders to undertake commercial activities and own residential and investment properties. In implementation of these directives, the draft law will be presented to the Shura Council in December, in preparation for its issuance. 
His Highness the Emir also gave directions to prepare a draft law for the ownership of real estate for non-Qataris. The project will be completed within one month of its date and will be implemented during the coming year.
We are also seeking to open doors to new industries and build new partnerships with countries that are not strictly commercial, but rather real partnerships where we work and invest together so that we reap the benefit of our investments.
We are currently working to take the country to a better place. And here comes the vision of 2030. We are trying to transform our economy into a knowledge-based economy and to unleash the potential of our youth for innovation and production. All of this will lead to the thriving and development of our country. 
In addition to our National Vision 2030, we also have national strategies. Currently, we are implementing our second national strategy 2017-2022. We in the government continue to implement our major plans and projects, most importantly infrastructure projects, health and education. To be sure, we have put in place a 10 year plan in 2014 to implement these projects. Thankfully, this plan was not affected by the changes in oil prices. There were days in which the price of petrol was in excess of US $120 per barrel and days in which petrol was worth less than $30 per barrel, and none of this has affected the implementation of our plans. We know very well our projects from today until 2024 and all are going in the right direction, thank God. 
The guidance of His Highness the Emir in the Shura Council is clear regarding improving the business environment in the State of Qatar and reviewing all related laws. Soon, God willing, an agency to encourage investment in the State of Qatar will be created. 
Question 13: Your Excellency, a while ago, it has been announced that visit and work visas have been issued for a number of countries. Was it because of the current crisis or is it part of Qatar’s plans of economic development and tourism? 
Answer: As the Minister of Interior, if you had asked me before 5 June, I would not have approved this quickly of this measure. The question of visas is indeed part of the economic plan of the state, but it requires extensive study. If circumstances were different, this procedure might have taken longer but things have changed, and as I said, many lessons were learnt, and we have accelerated this procedure and found out that actually this was a positive thing. 
Of course, we have reviewed the procedures for issuing visit visas and they now apply to more than 80 nationalities, and all of this will improve the business environment and increase tourism. This also represents our commitment to achieve our economic goals in the coming phase, which includes focusing on tourism. A few days ago, the Council of Ministers approved a law establishing the National Tourism Council to support this end. 
Question 14: Your Excellency mentioned the 2014 plan. Is it possible to identify some of the projects that have been completed as part of this plan?
Answer: Let me tell you about some of the accomplishments of this plan, which focused on the completion of some of the strategic projects of the State, including the establishment of Hamad International Airport and Hamad Port, which had a significant role in overcoming the strains of the blockade and indeed breaking the blockade. 
The country has also succeeded in completing several projects that have contributed to creating a full life for Qatari citizens and residents. This has helped the country achieve high ranks in international competitiveness indexes. 
Question 15: Your Excellency, you have mentioned the newly opened Hamad Port. Can you tell us more about the project and its revenues to the State?
Answer: Hamad Port, the inauguration of which was attended by His Highness the Emir last September, is a strategic project not only for Qatar, but for the region. This is a project for us and for future generations. Like I said earlier, the port played a role during the blockade, because as a result of the blockade we tried to speed up the work and develop solutions for the crisis. Thankfully, we now have 10 routes, and have reached almost 70 destinations around the world. Through the port, we attracted international shipping companies, and have acquired about 27% of cargo in the Middle East. Work is under way, God willing, to expand the Port over a number of phases. 
Question 16: Your Excellency, you mentioned creating a full life for Qatari citizens and residents. What is a full life from your point of view?
Answer: The vision and directives of His Highness the Emir is that Qatar be a country capable of continuing to achieve progress in all areas, raising the standards of living for citizens, empowering our youth and giving them an opportunity to achieve what they aspire to. We in the government believe that our role towards the citizen requires us to provide five main pillars:
1.Appropriate health services
2.High quality education
3.Provide job opportunities
4.Appropriate housing
5.And, finally, an appropriate life after retirement suitable for those who served this country. And it is our responsibility to assure them that: “You have not failed to serve Qatar, and Qatar will not fail to serve you.” 
*Five main pillars
 Praise be to God. Global indicators reflect our focused work on these pillars; we have scored highly on the indicators of health, education and unemployment around the world. 
We are living in a period of development and progress. We are working on the development of ministries and government agencies and providing outstanding services to citizens and residents. We have directed ministers and officials in the government to speed up the improvement of these services.
But we, in the government, do not deny the fact that we constantly need to develop our systems and laws. In fact, we are not afraid of amending any law or decision because the directive of His Highness the Emir is clear, which is to take into account and achieve what best suits the citizen in light of the public interest of the state.
Question 17: Where would you position the health sector on a global level, and what are the government’s future plans in the field of health?
Answer: Healthcare is one of the most important pillars of Qatar’s vision. By following global indicators we see that our health system is in the ranks of those systems in developed countries. Nonetheless, this area needs constant review and development. 
We always direct our specialists to focus on building a world-class health care system. We are working to provide state-of-the-art healthcare facilities.
During 2016 and 2017, a number of health facilities were opened and inaugurated in the Medical City, including the Centre for Communicable Diseases, the Women’s Health Centre, the Day Care Centre and Sidra Medical Centre. In addition, the opening of the “Bu Nakhla” hospital is underway and planned for next year. We have started with the detailed plan for the hospital’s new emergency and accident facilities, which when opened, will be one of the largest facilities of their kind in the region.
Not only are new hospitals open, but we also continue to open new primary care facilities all the time.
Question 18: Your Excellency, The State of Qatar is witnessing continuous development for more than two decades in the field of education. What about the next stage in this field?
Answer: In Qatar, we have, thank God, put education at the top of our priorities. Any society that aspires to progress must pay attention to the education system to ensure that the education offered is good and distinguished.
*Development in education
In his address to the nation after the current crisis, His Highness the Emir also called for the development of our educational and research institutions, and focusing on scientific achievement in all disciplines in order to be self-reliant and develop our economy and preserve our resources.
Upon the directives of His Highness the Emir, we are now working on developing an internal and external scholarship process. We give priority to the specialisations that we need and we hope that the young people of Qatar will head towards the rare specialty fields which the State needs. 
Question 19: Your Excellency, what about the security aspect?
Answer: Thank God, in Qatar we live, as citizens and residents, in safety and security and may God perpetuate this grace. 
According to the Crime Index, which is an important international index, Qatar has been ranked the safest country in the world this year. 
This has not been achieved through the ministry of the interior, but through the respect of citizens and residents for the laws of the state, and the mutual respect between the government and the people, and their provision of a good quality of life and making laws clear for all. 
Question 20: Your Excellency, can you talk about the Shura Council elections recently announced by His Highness the Emir?
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Answer: The Shura Council elections are of course part of the process of strengthening the modern state of Qatar. His Highness the Emir has already given us directions to finalise the process for holding the Shura Council elections. The government is about to finalise amendments to some laws and prepare a law on electing the Shura Council, which God willing, will be presented to the Shura Council next year, as was stated in the speech of His Highness the Emir. 
The date of the elections will be announced after the issuance of the election law and amending the necessary legislation.
Question 21: Your Excellency, we rarely see you appear in interviews on TV or in the press. Is there a reason behind it, and is your Excellency interested in social media?
Answer: Let us agree that whoever undertakes a responsibility in public affairs to serve his country, would be mostly preoccupied by achieving the desired goals, as the interests of the country and citizens are the most important thing for us. There is no doubt that communicating with the media is needed, but for me, it can happen through ministers and officials in government organisations who can convey a clear image to the citizens and residents about all the measures undertaken by the government, according to the responsibilities of each ministry. 
As for your question about social media tools, they are very important in this period as a means of communicating with the people and knowing and understanding their views and ideas. It is possible to say that I am an inactive follower of these means. But with regards to citizens and the interest of the state and residents, we have our channels to follow these issues, and we take all comments and criticisms seriously in order to find appropriate solutions for them.
Question 22: Your Excellency, in conclusion, do you have any further comments to make about the ongoing crisis? 
Answer: Yes. In the GCC, we have been through many crises, and this is nothing new, but what is new is the path chosen by the blockading countries, especially 1 – Orchestrated conspiracies 2 – Low standards of journalism, 3 – Ignoring the humanitarian impact on GCC citizens. 
We will not allow our country to be harmed. Qatar is not an easy target and it will remain glorious.