Qatar, US: Half a century of strategic relations

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani begins on Monday a working visit to the friendly United States, within the framework of the growing strategic relations and the continuous consultation between Doha and Washington.During the visit, the Amir will meet in Washington with US President Joe Biden at the White House to discuss aspects of developing the existing strategic co-operation between the two countries in various fields and exchange views on regional issues and the most prominent international developments.The visit constitutes a new step on the road to building and strengthening strategic cooperation and continuous consultation between the two leaderships and the two friendly countries to serve their common goals and interests, and contribute to achieving regional stability, security, and global peace, in a clear indication of the distinguished role played by Qatar under the leadership of His Highness the Amir on the international scene.The Amir's visit coincides with the two countries' preparations to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between them in 1972, while that the historical roots of the informal relations between them date back to the '30s of the last century with the beginning of the emergence of oil in the Arabian Gulf region.Since that date, bilateral relations have remained friendly and solid, based on trust, mutual respect, and common benefits, and in continuous development to serve the interests of the two countries, the region, and global and regional peace and stability.To strengthen these relations, His Highness the Amir's visits to the US have become permanent and continuous and enjoy a great deal of importance and welcome from various American circles.Senior officials and personalities from both sides exchange visits on a regular basis, to follow up on prospects for bilateral co-operation at political, economic, commercial, investment, health, cultural and others levels.The two countries have established a solid base for distinguished regional and international political relations, in addition to understandings, agreements, and a deep economic, investment, security and societal partnership.Doha has become an indispensable centre in the US strategy in the Middle East, the Arabian Peninsula and the Indian Ocean.Continuous consultation is considered a distinctive feature of the relations of the two friendly countries, and the American circles always praise Qatar's position and its pivotal roles in the region in the interest of regional and international stability and the promotion of international peace and security.Bilateral relations have deepened and strengthened over the past year, as a result of Qatar's evacuation efforts from Afghanistan.Qatar has worked closely with the US and other international partners around the clock to evacuate tens of thousands from Afghanistan, including American citizens, students, Afghan staff and their families, and journalists from all over the world.The Qatar-US Strategic Dialogue, of which four rounds have been held so far, is the strongest indication of the strength of the relations between the two sides and the keenness and strong desire to support and strengthen them in all fields.The 4th Qatar-US Strategic Dialogue, which was held in Washington in November, was another milestone in the strong historical partnership between the two countries and their deep friendship and indicated that the two parties are partners in defense, security, investments, education, energy, and combating terrorism.The dialogue included sessions on the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 in Doha, labour issues, human rights and human trafficking, military and security cooperation, visa and consular issues, regional and global discussions, energy, climate change, cultural and educational co-operation, law enforcement and counter-terrorism partnership, health cooperation, and economic and trade co-operation.The strong partnership of Doha and Washington has proven its importance in achieving peace and stability in the region, as many regional and international crises have demonstrated the necessity of this partnership and the vital role of Qatar through its active diplomacy and wise policies seeking peace and prosperity in the region.Qatar and the US also have extensive economic relations, as the US is the largest foreign investor in Qatar and one of the main equipment suppliers to the Qatari oil and gas industry.American companies play an important role in developing the oil, gas, and petrochemical sector in the country, especially in recent years, as Qatar is on top of the LNG industry in the world.The size of the economic partnership between the two countries exceeds $200bn.Qatar has invested hundreds of billions of dollars in the American economy, which translates into providing tens of thousands of jobs throughout the US.About 120 companies, wholly owned by Americans, operate in the Qatari market, along with 640 companies which were established in partnership between the Qatari and American sides.The US is the fifth trading partner of Qatar.In 2021, the activities of the Qatar-USA 2021 Year of Culture were organised with the aim of building bridges and promoting cultural and artistic exchange between the two countries and their friendly peoples, in confirmation of the two parties' strong and renewed commitment to promoting mutual understanding and dialogue between cultures.American universities receive hundreds of Qatari students each year, and six of them have opened branches in Education City in Doha, including Weill Cornell, Georgetown, Carnegie Mellon, and Northwestern.It is certain that the visit of His Highness the Amir to the US and the discussions that will take place during it will constitute a new shift in the relations of co-operation and co-ordination between the two parties, and its results will serve the interests of the two countries and their friendly peoples and in the interest of establishing security, stability, prosperity and peace in the region and the world.