Qatar's Ambassador to US to QNA: Strategic Dialogue is Key Pillar to Advance Qatari-US Relations
Washington, March 05 (QNA) - HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the United States of America Sheikh Meshal bin Hamad Al-Thani affirmed that the US-Qatar Strategic Dialogue constitutes a fundamental pillar for developing mutual cooperation in various fields and elevating relations to the highest levels.
In an interview with Qatar News Agency (QNA), His Excellency said that the State of Qatar and the United States seek, through the 6th US-Qatar Strategic Dialogue, to enhance cooperation between the two countries in the fields of security, defense, economy, trade, energy, education, culture, and other areas. He emphasized the importance of dialogue in confronting regional and international challenges.
HE the Ambassador added that one of the goals of the new round of the Strategic Dialogue is to evaluate the progress made in the programs launched by both countries during the last round, explaining that they aim to ensure that this institutional framework lead to tangible results that align with the aspirations of both countries to elevate their mutual cooperation to the highest levels, serving the interests of the Qatari and American people and enhancing stability regionally and internationally.
HE Sheikh Meshal bin Hamad Al-Thani emphasized the commitment of both sides to build on the positive momentum and unprecedented development witnessed by the relations between Qatar and the United States over the past decade, adding that launching the 1st round of the Strategic Dialogue in 2018 was an indicator of the progress reached in those relations, reflecting the mutual trust between the officials of both countries and their eagerness to work together effectively to deal with regional and international challenges.
He added that the regular meetings held by the two countries became an institutional framework for bilateral relations, as they enable discussions to enhance cooperation in terms of trade exchange, knowledge sharing, security, technical and military cooperation, climate change, energy security, attracting investments, and other areas.
HE Sheikh Meshal bin Hamad Al-Thani highlighted Qatar's keenness to strengthen its relations with the United States and elevate them to the highest levels, and emphasized building institutional relations with all actors in US foreign policy, noting Qatar's efforts in various US states to introduce opportunities for cooperation between the two countries in various fields.
In this context, he pointed out that the goal of this strategy is to maintain the continuity of the strong strategic partnership between the two countries, working to enhance their common interests and maintain security and peace at regional and international levels.
Regarding coordination between Qatar and the United States to face regional challenges, HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the United States of America Sheikh Meshal bin Hamad Al-Thani said that no country in the region can face the threats looming over the region without constant, strong, and coordinated cooperation with regional and international partners, noting that there is a genuine desire to confront these threats and reduce their impact on the stability and security of the region.
He emphasized the importance of the strategic partnership between Qatar and the United States, derived from their common interests in the Middle East and beyond, as well as shared threats such as terrorism, extremism, and sectarian conflicts, adding there is a firm conviction among the officials of both countries that these challenges can only be confronted through coordinated cooperation between our two countries and the rest of the region.
Regarding the joint coordination between the State of Qatar and the US for the security and stability of the region, HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the United States of America Sheikh Meshal bin Hamad Al-Thani affirmed that the two countries are working hard to maintain stability and security in the Middle East, highlighting the cooperation and coordination between the two countries in combating terrorism and defusing some of the crises facing the region through Qatar's mediation efforts in various files, which have made it a trusted partner at the regional and international levels, given the balance and integrity of Qatari diplomacy.
In his interview with QNA, His Excellency emphasized Qatar's leading role in mediating disputes between various parties and resolving many hot-button issues, especially its efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and establish a humanitarian truce to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people, as well as its efforts to establish security and stability in Afghanistan, out of its belief in the urgent need to join efforts to establish security and peace at the regional and international levels.
HE Sheikh Meshal bin Hamad Al-Thani added that Qatar spared no effort to help the US reach an agreement regarding the Afghan crisis by hosting numerous rounds of dialogue between the Taliban and the US to bring peace to Afghanistan. Qatar also helped to evacuate US citizens from Afghanistan, as well as Afghans wishing to leave their country.
His Excellency stressed that the State of Qatar has played and continues to play a major role in the mediation efforts between Hamas and Israel to make progress in the ongoing negotiations regarding the exchange of prisoners and detainees between the two sides, affirming that Qatar will spare no effort to reach a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
With regard to cooperation between the State of Qatar and the US in combating terrorism, HE the Ambassador affirmed that Qatar's support for the US-led international coalition to combat terrorism and violent extremism, adding that it has worked closely with the US administration to address the ongoing challenges resulting from this phenomenon which threatens the stability and security of the region and many regions of the world.
In response to a question about the role of the US-Qatar Strategic Dialogue in strengthening economic, trade, and investment relations between the two friendly countries, HE Sheikh Meshal bin Hamad Al-Thani affirmed that this dialogue provides an opportunity for officials of the two countries to hold in-depth discussions on opportunities to strengthen economic relations and identify obstacles that may hinder the advancement of trade and investment exchange between them.
He highlighted the achievements on the economic level thanks to the Strategic Dialogue between the two countries, saying that these regular meetings have gradually begun to yield results, which will have a significant impact on strengthening bilateral economic relations and trade exchanges in the coming years, indicating the size of the economic partnership between the two countries has exceeded $200 billion. He expected this partnership to grow in the coming years.
HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the United States of America Sheikh Meshal bin Hamad Al-Thani added that the US is one of the most important trade partners of the State of Qatar and both countries work closely to further enhance economic relations and boost bilateral trade and investments between them, pointing out that the volume of current and future investments that the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) intends to inject into the US economy amounts to tens of billions of dollars, a significant percentage of them are allocated to the infrastructure sector. Additionally, Qatari investments have created over one million jobs in the US.
Regarding the strategic partnership between the State of Qatar and the United States, HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the United States of America Sheikh Meshal bin Hamad Al-Thani confirmed that the two countries are working together on strategic projects in logistics, infrastructure, technology, energy and real estate sectors, in addition to their cooperation for the 2026 World Cup, scheduled to be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
In his statement to QNA, His Excellency highlighted the partnership that brought together the two countries in order to support the State of Qatar's efforts to move towards a knowledge-based economy, through the exchange of knowledge and experiences in technology, education and training fields. He also pointed out the existence of many MoU between various governmental and private entities in the two countries to increase cooperation in various sectors.
In this context, HE Sheikh Meshal bin Hamad Al Thani confirmed that the State of Qatar was able to attract more than 800 US companies, including 120 wholly owned by US companies, making the United States of America the top foreign investor in the country. In the medium and long term, Qatar seeks to increase US investments in the Qatari economy and transform the State of Qatar into the main platform for US companies in the region, His Excellency said.
Regarding cooperation between the two countries in the field of energy, HE the Ambassador said that this field has become important in the bilateral agenda between the State of Qatar and the United States, especially since the world is witnessing a historic shift towards reducing dependence on traditional energy sources and moving further towards renewable energy sources.
He indicated that this transformation coincides with the emergence of some armed conflicts, most notably the war in Ukraine, which has greatly affected the provision of global markets with what they need in order to ensure the stability of the global economy.
Given that they are among the most important gas producing and exporting countries, the State of Qatar and the United States have been keen over the past years, especially since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, to ensure the smooth supply of gas to global markets, His Excellency added.
He stressed that the Strategic Dialogue rounds between the two countries constitute an opportunity for officials in the energy sector from both countries to discuss ways to maintain gas supplies to global markets and ensure price stability.
In the midst of the discussions with the US partners, Qatar always emphasizes its firm position that natural gas is the cleanest and most environmentally friendly fossil fuel, and that it will play a decisive role in the future of energy, His Excellency said.
HE Sheikh Meshal bin Hamad Al-Thani highlighted the significant Qatari investments to develop the liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry, emphasizing the crucial importance of partnerships with American companies to achieve this goal, as they played a central role in Qatar's LNG industry since its inception and are expected to continue this role in the future, given the increasing global demand for this vital resource.
He pointed out that Qatar is heavily investing in the US LNG sector and has made substantial investments in the energy infrastructure in the United States, adding that they look forward to enhancing cooperation and partnership between the two countries in this field, especially given the mutual desire of both the Qatari and American sides to elevate investment levels in this sector to avoid disruptions in global markets and provide LNG at reasonable prices worldwide as an alternative clean energy.
He pointed out that cooperation between the two countries in the energy sector is not limited to LNG but also extends to renewable energy and key technologies such as batteries and sustainable agriculture.
Expressing great optimism, His Excellency anticipated that the relations between the two countries would maintain the same positive and upward trajectory witnessed in recent years, especially with their commitment to intensify cooperation and consultation to effectively address security, economic, and climate challenges facing the world.
He added that both Qatar and the United States recognize the need to enhance cooperation to achieve their common interests, whether at the regional or international level. This necessitates dealing with reliable partners and building alliances to enhance opportunities for achieving the strategic goals both countries seek.
Emphasizing the increasing mutual trust and respect between the two countries and the convergence of views on many regional and international issues, HE the Ambassador stressed that the path is open for Qatar and the United States to enhance their mutual cooperation.
HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the United States of America Sheikh Meshal bin Hamad Al-Thani concluded by stating that the continuation of Strategic Dialogue reflects the sincere intention of both countries to elevate bilateral relations to broader horizons and achieve international and regional security and stability. (QNA)
