Thani said that the recent experiences "have taught us not to rush to convert disagreement in political viewpoints and assessing a political situation, which may arise even among the leaders, into differences that would affect sectors such as economy, society, media and others." The Qatari Emir added that if the mechanisms and institutions of cooperation and collaboration failed to continue functioning throughout the stages of difference of opinion, then that means "we have not succeeded yet in establishing a strong foundation for this organization." "If the fraternal relations of our peoples haven't been taken for granted even during the phases of crises, this means that the GCC remains an elitist body. There are things which are to be taken for granted and must not be questionable at any time in terms of the relations among the Gulf Cooperation Council's states and peoples," he said. The Emir stressed that only practice sets the common above the disagreed, and raise cooperation above dispute could turn GCC into a real entity and give substance to the saying: the Council is the effective Arab organization on the regional and international arena. "Then, we may hope that this will serve as a paradigm for other Arab frameworks," said the Emir. "In the face of challenges and risks surrounding us from all sides we must not get caught up in marginal disputes over details. It is high time that the Cooperation Council defines its role and position on the political map of the region on the basis of the strategic position of its countries as well as their potentials and common interests because the great powers do neither wait, nor they listen to moral appeals. It seems that they only deal in the language of interests, and with the one who proves his strength on the ground in the region," said the Emir. --More 21:11 LOCAL TIME 18:11 GMT تغريد
