IN THE NAME OF GOD
THE MOST COMPASSIONATE THE MOST MERCIFUL

Fellow citizens,

 I am addressing you today on the occasion of the rendering of the award of the international court of justice in the case of the border dispute between the two states of Qatar and Bahrain which we all have been waiting for since the conclusion of the oral pleadings at the court at the end of last June.

  Undoubtedly, this long standing dispute of 62 years dominated relations between the two countries and their brotherly peoples throughout that period. During this dispute, these relations underwent several tensions and a few occasions of relaxation which would barely begin only to come to an end, with all the implications arising from the continuation and escalation of the dispute. Hence we became strongly convinced that we should pursue every possible course to put an end to this situation and settle for good the dispute between us and our brothers in Bahrain, not only in the interest of relations between our two countries and peoples, but also in the interest of the security and stability of the gulf region as well as consolidating our gulf cooperation council.

 In this context, Qatar tried its best to find an objective settlement of this dispute by means of direct negotiation at one time, and the mediation of the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at another.

 However, these endeavours were not successful due to the difference in positions and sensitivity of the disputed matters for either side. There remained no choice other than a judicial settlement, which was agreed upon by the two sides in1987 and 1990 under the patronage of my brother King Fahd Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, in the framework of his kind mediation which culminated in referring the matter to the International Court of Justice.

Fellow citizens,

 As you know, the court has rendered its final award this evening. Although this award has many positive aspects that confirmed the rights of the State of Qatar to its territorial lands, its maritime zones, its continental shelf, and its exclusive economic zone including the pearl banks, and in Janan Island, Fasht Dibal, and Qitaat Shajara and Qitaat Aarj and other maritime areas shown in the map attached to the award, yet it has awarded Hawar Islands to the State of Bahrain.

 Allow me to be frank with you as I have always been: the court award in this respect was not easy upon us. These islands have a great standing in the hearts of our people, a standing that is deeply rooted in the history of this country and the keenness of its sons to be bound to each grain of its soil.

 However, despite the pain we feel, we think that the court award has, anyway, put an end to the dispute between the two states, and we can now put that dispute, which has become part of history, behind our backs.

 While looking forward to the future, we realize that our sacrifice will not be in vain since it lays the foundation for closer and broader unblemished relations between Qatar and Bahrain and their brotherly peoples. Moreover, it will enhance the security and stability of our gulf states and contribute to strengthening the cooperation council for the Gulf Arab States (GCC) and consolidating the process of integration of its member states.

 While congratulating the two peoples of Qatar and Bahrain on the ending of the dispute between the two countries, I extend to my brother, His Highness Shaikh Hamad bin Issa Al-Khalifa, Amir of the sisterly State of Bahrain, a hand that has always been full of fraternity and cordiality, so that we can together close that page and open a new chapter, where the two brotherly people take part in planning and deepening our future relations, where the two countries interact for their common interest and prosperity.

 On this occasion, I would like to extend my thanks and appreciation to my brother, King Fahd Bin Abdulaziz, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and my brother, His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Saeed, for their distinctive roles and efforts that have brought the two countries to the highest legal and judicial authority to have their dispute settled.

 I also find this an opportunity to extend thanks and appreciation to all those who have sincerely contributed to the case of Qatar, and to express all commendation and appreciation to the people of Qatar for their strong backing and support of their national causes over the last six decades.

 May the mercy of God be upon the martyrs of both countries: and eternal peace for our forefathers, our martyrs in Damsah and Wakra, and every martyr who fought for this country.

 May the peace and mercy of god be upon you.