Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jaber Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar at the second plenary session
in its internal affairs. At the same time, leaders stressed
gap between haves and have-nots. She added that rising
the importance of full cooperation between Iran and the
demand for oil increased the dangers of global warming –
IAEA.
an issue on which Japan is active. ‘As Japan imports 90% of
From Kuwait’s perspective, energy security was based
its oil from the Middle East, stability of the region is vital,’
on providing oil and derivatives to consumer countries at
she said. Securing sea lines of communication was identi-
adequate prices, in a way that permitted the country to con-
fied as an important goal.
tribute to international economic growth. It was noted that
After the third plenary session, four separate break-out
prices were influenced not only by supply and demand, but
groups met simultaneously for off-the-record discussions.
by security factors. More refining capacity was also neces-
The first was on inter-community relations and sectarian
sary, and Gulf states, including Kuwait, were investing in
conflict, chaired by Mamoun Fandy, IISS Senior Fellow for
it. Meanwhile, consumers needed to diversify their energy
Gulf Security. Opening remarks were made by Muhyideen
sources – the world’s dependence on the Gulf meant that
Al Dhabi, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yemen;
any threat or security disruption in the region affected
Mevlut Cavusoglu, member of parliament and Vice-
international security and economic growth.
President Foreign Affairs Department, AK Party, Turkey;
Yuriko Koike, recently Defense Minister of Japan,
Sadoun Al Dulame, former Defence Minister, Iraq; and
noted the recent sharp rise in the price of oil, which was
Bandar Al Aiban, Chairman, Foreign Affairs Committee,
creating a highly charged atmosphere and widening the
Majlis Al Shura, Saudi Arabia.
BREAK-OUT GROUP I: Inter-community relations and sectarian politics
(l–r): Muhiddeen Al Dhabi, Deputy Foreign Minister, Yemen; Dr Mowaffak Al Rubaie, Iraq’s National Security Adviser; Dr Sadoun Al Dulame, Former Defence Minister, Iraq; and Wafaa Bassim, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Egypt
The Manama Dialogue 2007 | 39