HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Kingdom of Belgium and Permanent Representative to the European Union and the NATO Abdulrahman bin Mohammed Al Khulaifi underlined that the fight against terrorism is a high priority for the State of Qatar, which has issued a strict set of laws to prohibit the financing of terrorism, in addition to signing several international conventions and memoranda of understanding on combating terrorism, most recently the memorandum of understanding signed with the United States of America.

Addressing a seminar organized by the European People's Party (EPP) at the European Parliament in Brussels, on the occasion of the publication of the Global Terrorism Index 2017 report, HE the Qatari Ambassador said that the whole world has become fully aware of the falsity and lies of some neighboring countries which are based on personal interests to distort the image of the State of Qatar through fabricated accusations of supporting terrorism.

HE the Ambassador underlined that the current differences between the State of Qatar and its neighbors can not be solved through the siege or warnings, but through dialogue and rational debate, noting that the State of Qatar is ready and open to both.

HE Ambassador Al Khulaifi added that the State of Qatar will continue its positive and effective foreign policy and to fulfill its humanitarian and international commitments at the same time.

On the other hand, HE the Ambassador warned against the scourge of terrorism and extremism that has swept the world and caused the deaths of thousands of innocent lives, motivated by distorted religious ideas and beliefs.

He noted that the Global Terrorism Index report shows that terrorism has become a worldwide pandemic, which required to look for the best ways to reduce it and to address the causes that lead to it.

He said that terrorism and extremism are rooted in poverty, ignorance, unemployment and marginalization, affirming that education is the cornerstone of counter-terrorism efforts.

Believing in the importance of education, Qatar is investing 12% of its total government spending in the education sector, in addition to allocating 25% of its foreign aid to educational projects for seven million children in 42 countries. Qatar has spent more than $100 million on education in Syria within the framework "QUEST" initiative for the education of the displaced.

The seminar was attended by members of the European Parliament, senior officials of European and international counterterrorism institutions and the NATO, as well as local and international media.