Qatar and Singapore call for restoring maritime security in Middle East

Qatar and Singapore have expressed deep concern over recent developments in the Middle East, particularly the renewed hostilities between the United States and Iran. Both countries stressed the importance of dialogue and diplomacy to achieve a peaceful and lasting resolution to the conflict.

The two sides also voiced concern about ongoing threats to maritime security and international navigation, including attacks on ships in the Red Sea and their impact on global trade and the safety of navigation.

They emphasized the need to respect and protect navigational rights and freedoms in accordance with international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The two countries also called for ensuring the safety of seafarers and vessels under the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, and highlighted the importance of restoring safe and uninterrupted passage for ships and aircraft through the Strait of Hormuz, describing it as a vital international waterway.

The statements were made during a meeting in Doha of the Implementation Monitoring Mechanism of the Joint High Committee between the two countries, chaired by Qatar's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan Al-Muraikhi and Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, with the participation of Abdul Karim, Singapore's Minister of State at the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Home Affairs.