Qatar-US strategic dialogue a milestone in partnership: FM

HE Sheikh Mohamed said in a speech during the opening session of the dialogue in Washington that the two countries are partners in defence, security, investments, education and energy, and are international leaders in the fight against terrorism, because their friendship extends through decades. He said that this year, the friendship between the two countries was further strengthened by Qatar's evacuation efforts from Afghanistan, as Qatar worked closely with the US and its international partners to evacuate more than 70,000 personnel from Afghanistan, including American citizens and students from all over Afghanistan and Afghan staff and their families, and journalists from around the world.The FM added that there is still a lot to do in Afghanistan, and Qatar remains committed to continuing the necessary work, along with the US and its partners around the world, and Qatar is committed to contribute to the stability of Afghanistan and the safety and well-being of the Afghan people. He said that the strategic dialogue will discuss issues of common interest, and will reaffirm Qatar's determination to deepen co-operation between the two countries in various fields, including defence and security.He said that the economic partnership between Qatar and the US exceeds $200bn in trade and investment, explaining that Qatar has invested hundreds of billions of dollars in the American economy, which translates into providing tens of thousands of jobs throughout the US.He pointed out that Qatar plays an important role in helping countries meet their energy needs, as a leading producer of natural gas, with its firm belief in the importance of measures to reduce emissions, through its global investments in green innovations and technologies, along with Qatar's environmental strategy. He said that Qatar's investments reflect its commitment to taking care of the environment, and as of 2021, more than half of Qatar Investment Authority investments will go to zero-emission power generation projects.HE Sheikh Mohamed said that 2022 will be a special year because it marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Qatar and the US, and in November next year, Qatar will host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which will be the first FIFA World Cup to take into account carbon emissions. He referred to the celebration of the Year of Culture Qatar-USA 2021, which includes a number of events that highlight the depth of the long and friendly relations over the years.He expressed Qatar's aspiration to host the 5th session of the strategic dialogue between the two countries next year.For his part, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken welcomed HE Sheikh Mohamed and all members of the Qatari delegation in Washington, expressing his appreciation to all colleagues for the work that has already been done, and the work that will be done in the coming period.He said in a speech before the strategic dialogue that if the two countries look at the diversity of issues that will cover, it reflects a strong reality, which is the growing strength of the relationship between the US and Qatar, which includes security and common economic interests, co-operation in many areas and regional challenges, and the growing relations between the two people.Blinken considered that the events that took place in Afghanistan during the past months have strengthened the partnership of the two countries, including the most sensitive and pressing issues.He added that he had the opportunity during his visit to Doha last September to thank His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani for the generosity, support and exceptional co-operation of Qatar, pointing out that he witnessed directly the massive joint operation to evacuate Americans, foreign nationals and Afghans who have been partners for 20 years, out of more than 124,000 people who were evacuated from Afghanistan last August, about half of them were evacuated through Qatar and this work is still going on.He added that since that time, Qatar has facilitated and funded 15 additional flights out of Afghanistan, enabling hundreds of American citizens and thousands more to leave the country. The government and Qatar Airways continue to support flights from Afghanistan for US Special Immigrant Visa holders and others.Blinken stressed that the support provided by Qatar to the operations at Kabul Airport allowed the flow of humanitarian aid from the international community to Afghanistan, including several flights from the World Health Organisation carrying life-saving medical supplies for more than 2mn Afghans.He added that the two countries are signing two new agreements that reflect the deep co-operation on Afghanistan.The first confirms the role of Qatar as the protective authority of the United States in Afghanistan.Qatar will establish a section to serve American interests within its embassy in Afghanistan, such as providing certain consular services and monitoring the status and security of American diplomatic facilities in Afghanistan.The second agreement formalises the partnership with Qatar to facilitate Afghan travel on special immigrant visas to the United States, a role it has already played in many cases and serves as a transit point for eligible Afghans as they complete their application process. He went on saying that the US is grateful for Qatar's leadership and for its support for Afghanistan, and pointed out that the partnership between the two countries is much broader than that, and this is reflected in the very good conversations and the regular conversations with HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs on many issues of common interest in the region and beyond.He said that Qatar is an important partner in promoting regional stability, not only by hosting US forces that provide security throughout the region, but also by providing economic and humanitarian assistance to people in difficult situations and times, noting that Qatar has donated over the past decade more than $1.3bn in aid to Palestinians in Gaza and has provided significant support to the Yemeni people, including $100mn pledged in August and another $90mn donated by His Highness the Amir this week through the World Food Programme.Blinken added that both countries are also working together on difficult issues such as labour rights, and the US stands ready to support Qatar in ensuring the full implementation of its labour reforms, including ensuring that all workers in the country are covered by the new minimum wage law, and are able to change employers and leave the country without certificates and permits.The US secretary of state considered that the relationship between Qatar and the US is stronger than ever, expressing his belief that it will strengthen and flourish in a deeper and more diversified manner for the benefit of the peoples of the two countries and other peoples.