Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and US Secretary of State H E Antony Blinken during a signing ceremony at the State Department in Washington, DC, on Friday.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani stressed that the 4th strategic dialogue between the State of Qatar and the United States of America represents another milestone in the strong historical partnership between the two countries.
The Deputy Prime Minister pointed out that the flourishing relations between the two countries, which were enabled by the mutual commitments between Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and President of the United States of America H E Joe Biden, are manifested not only in the scope of the cooperation, but also through the deep friendship between the two countries.
He said, in a speech during the opening session of the 4th Qatar-US Strategic Dialogue, in Washington, that the two countries are partners in defense, security, investments, education and energy, and are international leaders in the fight against terrorism, because the friendship between the two countries extends through decades.
He went on saying that this year, the friendship between the two countries was further strengthened by the State of Qatar’s evacuation efforts from Afghanistan, as Qatar worked closely with the United States 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.
He added, 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.
The Deputy Prime Minister indicated that the strategic dialogue discussed issues of common interest, and will reaffirm Qatar determination to deepen cooperation between the two countries in various fields, including strengthening the defense and security partnership.
He said that the economic partnership between Qatar and the US exceeds $200bn in the fields of trade and investment, explaining that the State of Qatar has invested hundreds of billions of dollars in the American economy, which translates into providing tens of thousands of jobs throughout the United States.
He pointed out that the State of 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 added that Qatar 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 added 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.
Later in a joint press conference with the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the Deputy Prime Minister warned against abandoning Afghanistan, stressing that isolation is not a solution, and that engagement is the only way forward.
He said that the priority of Qatar is to ensure that humanitarian assistance reaches the Afghan people, especially with the approach of winter, adding that Qatar needs to make sure that facilitation of humanitarian assistance runs smoothly and urges and encourages the Taliban to live up to their commitments.
He explained that Qatar is in constant consultation with the United States, noting that the two countries agree on the importance of meeting the needs of the Afghan people, ensuring their safety and protecting them from violence.
The Deputy Prime Minister pointed out that the State of Qatar places great emphasis on providing food supplies, medicines and health care services, and ensuring the continuity of schools in Afghanistan, adding that Qatar encourages the participation of international organisations in providing this aid, especially with the approach of winter.
He added that Qatar and the US must also ensure that the right people are evacuated. The State of Qatar assumes this responsibility by supervising the conduct of checks on evacuees from a security point of view. He underlined that some people could be accepted without their passports provided that they present their correct documents and Qatar is careful not to evacuate the wrong people who may harm others in other countries.
On the possibility of Qatar playing a mediating role in Ethiopia, he expressed Qatar’s deep concern over the escalation there, considering that African stability is largely linked to our regional stability, and Qatar hope to see security and stability in the region.
He stressed that Qatar usually plays the mediation role after being requested by the two conflicting parties, Ethiopia has not yet asked Qatar, but Qatar are happy to assist in deescalation efforts. The international community, including the US, has been involved in these efforts, and Qatar would be happy to contribute as well, he added.
He stressed that Qatar’s position on normalisation with the Assad regime is very clear and it is not an option, stressing the need to hold Assad accountable for the war crimes he committed against his people.
He considered that the region’s relationship with Iran depends on a unique set of dynamics, noting that Iran is a neighboring country and a good relationship with it must be maintained. He underlined that Qatar relationship with Iran is not defined by Qatar alliance with the US or others. However, Qatar uses this relationship to communicate with Iran and facilitate interaction with its allies.
For his part, the US Secretary of State H E Antony Blinken, in his speech, welcomed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, 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 hours.
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 United States and the State of Qatar, which includes security and common economic interests, cooperation in many areas and regional challenges, and the growing relations between the two people. He 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 Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani for the generosity, support and exceptional cooperation of the State of Qatar, pointing out that he witnessed directly the massive joint operation to evacuate Americans, foreign nationals and Afghans who have been partners for twenty 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, the State of 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.
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.
He said that the State of 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 the State of 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 $100m pledged in August and another $90m donated by H H the Amir this week through the World Food Program.
