HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani attending the reception hosted by members of the Society of Qatar Friends at the Congress at the Congress premises.QNA/WashingtonHH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani attended a reception hosted by members of the Society of Qatar Friends at the Congress (the American-Qatari Caucus) at the Congress premises. The Emir welcomed the members, referred to the close friendship that binds the State of Qatar and the United States of America and stressed the continued growth and development of relations between the two countries. The Emir also praised the areas of co-operation between Qatar and the United States, especially the fields of education, investment, energy, industry and defence, pointing out to new prospects for expanding the frameworks of this co-operation to include various aspects of economic, trade and investment activities in the near future. For their part, a number of the society’s members gave speeches during the function in which they welcomed the visit of the Emir, praising the distinguished relations between the two countries, the role of the Emir and his attendance of such meetings which work to promote relations between the two countries. The reception was attended by HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor al-Thani and members of the official accompanying delegation. On the US side, the event was attended by members of the Society of Qatar Friends at the Congress and a number of ranking officials. Later on Wednesday the Emir left Washington, concluding an official visit to the United States, during which he held talks with US President Barack Obama and a number of senior officials. The Emir sent a cable of thanks and appreciation to President Obama for the warm welcome and hospitality accorded to him and his accompanying delegation during the visit.1. HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani holding talks with the Speaker of the US House of Representative John Boehner.