Qatar’s European charm offensive after the Munich Security Conference  

The Munich Security Conference has become one of the important annual platforms for global political leaders. Since its inception in 1963, the MSC has provided space for politicians and stakeholders to discuss the world’s pressing issues in the spheres of politics, defence and security. It differs from the World Economic Forum (WEF), which as the name suggests is more concerned with global economics, including business networking.

The Conference also provides parallel fringe sessions which bring together non-governmental institutions, including major think tanks. The discussions at these sessions are key in setting the agenda for future political debates.

The Emir of Qatar, Shaikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, was given VIP status at the MSC, afforded the honour of being the first head of state to give a speech at this year’s conference. The MSC does not have a keynote speaker’s slot, but the positioning of Shaikh Tamim on the first day’s agenda confirmed the significance of his presence.

The Emir came to power following an unprecedented handover by his father, Shaikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani in 2013. Shaikh Hamad is credited with the political and economic transformation of Qatar and the creation of Al-Jazeera Media Network. His son’s speech at the MSC was largely directed at the “bullying tactics” of the countries blockading Qatar: the UAE, Egypt, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. “Preserving the sovereignty and the independent decision-making of countries like Qatar ensures accelerated development,” he told the conference. “Developments such as free media and free speech that the blockading countries insist we surrender.”

The blockade and sanctioning of Qatar by its neighbours since June last year has forced the government in Doha to court new alliances in Europe. Qatar’s politicians, led by Foreign Minister Mohammed Bin Abdul Rahman, have been engaged in a diplomatic offensive since the blockade began. Its counter-narrative has been extremely effective. This was further strengthened by its ambitious and pragmatic foreign policy which emphasises the championing of freedom of expression in the region.

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Qatar has also used sports diplomacy to open up its society to the world, adding to the effectiveness of the official narrative. The country has invited and hosted a number of international sporting events, including the Qatar Total Open tennis tournament which ended on Monday. Furthermore, the hosting of the FIFA World Cup tournament in 2022 will be counted as a diplomatic boost for the state.

These events have placed Qatar in a very different position in world politics. They have also encouraged some positive political and economic developments in the country. The large-scale infrastructure development has created job opportunities for thousands of foreign workers and Qataris alike, and injected a note of positivity into the economy. It has also enabled the government to self-regulate when it comes to the implementation of workers’ rights; human rights of all kinds are still something of a rarity in the region. This might help to transform Qatar into a democratic model for the Middle East and attract more European support for the country.

However, there is one major political complication that Qatar will have to overcome as it continues to entrench itself in Europe; it will have to democratise itself as a matter of urgency. The country’s political leadership must also find ways of selling its new political trajectory to the rank and file in society. Unfortunately, there is still a lack of political messaging plus limited political engagement in the media in Qatar. Moreover, society remains conservative and is still very sceptical about “foreign” political ideas.

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Democratisation may compel Qatar to extend equal rights to all of its residents. At the moment, Qatari citizens have the upper hand over expatriates and it is very difficult to imagine a scenario whereby they might regard themselves as equal to foreigners. Extending equal rights to expatriates will undoubtedly limit the powers that Qataris have over them. In order to keep up with the dictates of democracy, Qatar may be compelled to allow the presence of human rights institutions to have an oversight role in the country. These political possibilities may also lead to a serious backlash as the country’s government and governance systems come under intense domestic and international scrutiny.

In conclusion, it is clear that Qatar has been forced by the Saudi-led blockade to look for new alliances beyond the Middle East. However, the country has entered new political territory as it tries to ensure its survival amidst hostile neighbours. Whilst it can be argued that the actions of Qatar’s government are in the best interests of its people, the top-down politics involving the Europeans could backfire if not managed carefully. Qatar’s conservative society still regards the people of the region as their allies rather than Europeans. Indeed, many Qataris would prefer to mend rather than build new walls. In the meantime, the charm offensive led by the Emir of Qatar, boosted by his appearance at the Munich Security Conference, will no doubt continue.

The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor.