Italy welcomes amendments to Qatar anti-terrorism laws

Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Angelino Alfano, yesterday welcomed the new Qatari amendments to the laws on combating terrorism.

“The memorandum of understanding between the United States and Qatar and the new legislation introduced by Qatar to make combating terrorism more effective are positive developments that confirm Qatar’s commitment to fighting terrorism as a member of the global coalition against the Daesh terrorist organisation,” he said in a statement.

“In recent days, we have discussed the situation in the Gulf with the foreign ministers of the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia during their visit to Rome,” the Italian minister said, adding that he appreciates the ministers’ desire to pursue diplomacy as the only way to reach a solution.

Read: Qatari emir amends laws to bolster fight against terrorism

“In this regard, I reiterate Italy’s concern over the humanitarian consequences of the crisis, and I wish, as a goodwill gesture, to reopen the land border between Qatar and Saudi Arabia,” Alfano said.

In light of this, full cooperation must be restored as soon as possible between the GCC countries in order to provide a common response to terrorism and extremism

he stressed.

He added that he hoped “an honest dialogue would begin between the countries concerned on the basis of respect for international law and the sovereignty and dignity of each country, paving the way for a lasting and sustainable solution.”

#QatarGate

Last week, the Emir of Qatar issued a decree amending certain provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Act, which included the definition of terrorists, crimes, terrorist acts and entities, the freezing of funds and the financing of terrorism and the introduction of the national list of terrorist individuals and entities.