*Strategic Dialogue to be held in Doha Sunday

The Second US-Qatari Strategic Dialogue to be held in Doha Sunday will tackle the latest developments in the Gulf crisis and the international efforts to solve them and the repercussions of the blockade of Qatar.
The Dialogue is co-chaired by HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
According to information posted on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Twitter page, the Dialogue will focus on strengthening relationships and partnerships in the defence, security, economy and trading sectors.
Among the expected results of the meeting are: strengthening the established partnership between the two countries in combating terrorism; opening new markets for Qatari investments in the United States; consolidation of military and defence relations; enhancing co-operation in the fields of energy, ports and banks.
The Dialogue is also expected to lead to continued co-ordination and political consultation on various regional and international issues, exchange of experiences to secure major sporting events in preparation for the Qatar 2022 World Cup and to meet the challenges of cybersecurity and cyber piracy.
In remarks to Qatar News Agency (QNA) last week, HE the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Lolwah Alkhater said the Strategic Dialogue aims to strengthen co-operation with the US, an important ally.
Qatari-US relations are strong and built on common values and mutual respect, she said.
Senior officials from both sides will participate in the talks.
Alkhater said the Qatari-US Strategic Dialogue will include high-level discussions on a number of political, economic, defence and cultural spheres and will witness the signing of a number of memorandums of understanding (MoUs) that enhance co-operation in the interests of the Qatari and US peoples.
The first Strategic Dialogue, held in January 2018 in the US, was attended by HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs Dr Khalid bin Mohamed al-Attiyah, along with the Ministers of Energy, Commerce and Finance of both countries.
The inaugural Strategic Dialogue played a key role in further bolstering the solid Qatar-US partnership across many sectors. The two sides signed a number of agreements, MoUs and letters of intent in the fields of trade, investment, technology, energy and co-operation in sport, education, health, arts and culture.
A joint statement issued after the first Strategic Dialogue stressed the commitment of the two friendly countries to promote bilateral trade and discuss bilateral investment frameworks that address tax policies and reduce regulatory obstacles.
William Grant, charge d’affaires, ad interim of the US embassy in Doha tweeted on January 5: “US Embassy looking forward to welcoming @SecPompeo to #Qatar for his first visit, to chair the second annual US-Qatar Strategic Dialogue in #Doha.”