5th Qatar-US Strategic Dialogue explores ways to strengthen relations
• Qatar, US sign letter of intent on World Cup legacy
The Fifth Qatar-US Strategic Dialogue began yesterday in Doha where HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed current political issues while contemplating ways to strengthen co-operation between the two countries.
The opening session addressed several regional and international issues, especially the developments in Palestine and the negotiations to return to the joint action plan, Russian-Ukrainian crisis, energy and food security, co-operation in the human rights field, and several issues of common interest.
At a press conference, HE Sheikh Mohamed said that the two parties discussed the developments in the Iranian nuclear agreement, Iraq, Libya, Afghanistan and the Palestinian issue. “We discussed several issues,” HE the Minister said while thanking the US for its support to Qatar in hosting the World Cup.
“We are partnering in the region and abroad to resolve differences, end conflicts and deepen economic relations,” Blinken said, adding the current stage is the peak of US-Qatar relations. “We meet at what is a high point of the five decade-long diplomatic relationship between our countries on every issue that matters to our nations. Our collaboration, fair to say, is deeper and our people are the better off for it. We’re also deepening economic ties from civil aviation to renewable energy. Qatari and American businessmen and innovators are creating new opportunities for people in both of our countries. Qatar has provided economic assistance to the Palestinian people, helped pay the salaries of security forces in Lebanon, and brokered peace in Chad,” he noted.
HE the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the US Secretary of State signed a letter of intent between the government Qatar and the US government on the World Cup Legacy (2022-2026).
Under it, both parties announced their intention to exchange World Cup knowledge and the drawn conclusions and build on the success of Qatar in making the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 accessible for persons with disabilities and apply the learned lessons in future tournaments, including the FIFA World Cup 2026 that will be held in the US, and find places that allow more inclusion and accessibility for people with disabilities.
Both parties also affirmed their intention to increase technical exchange and exchange of knowledge to combat human trafficking, including those with regards to sporting events, and work together to introduce and implement fair employment practices to protect migrant workers, exchange knowledge in the field of the labour protection, and establish a joint work group to develop specific steps to enhance the current letter of intent.
● HE Sheikh Mohamed also met with Blinken on the sidelines of the Fifth Qatar-US Strategic Dialogue.
During the meeting, they discussed the close relations between the two countries, international issues of common concern, especially the developments of the negotiations to return to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with the United States, the situation in the Palestinian territories, Iraq and Lebanon, and the repercussions of the crisis between Russia and Ukraine and ways to resolve it peacefully, in addition to several issues of common interest. (With inputs from
HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani has stressed that Qatar looks to its relations with the United States as one of its major strategic partnerships, which extends to political, security, defence, and economic and developmental fields.
In a joint press conference with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the sidelines of the fifth US-Qatar Strategic Dialogue, currently held in Doha, HE Sheikh Mohamed considered this round of the dialogue as an important platform in strengthening those relations that enjoy stable and solid foundations and multifaceted partnership.
He said that the US-Qatar Strategic Dialogue represented an opportunity to address several issues ranging from regional issues and today’s global challenges, discuss the latest development concerning the nuclear deal, the developments in Iraq, Lebanon, and Libya, and the Palestinian cause that Qatar sees as its central cause; in addition to joint efforts in Afghanistan.
HE Sheikh Mohamed pointed out that this round of dialogue discussed co-operation in responding to global challenges, especially the challenges of energy, food security, and other developmental challenges that the world faces today.
He said that Qatar and the US share the same point of view regarding these issues, and they look forward to working together among the team works that will resume the talks between the concerned institutions in both countries.
He added that Qatar always looks forward to strengthening its co-operation with the US, and always having an open dialogue and a relationship based on transparency and mutual trust between the two countries.
HE Sheikh Mohamed praised the cooperation shown by the US with its various institutions in support of hosting the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
He extended his thanks for all the efforts, especially those of the US security and cybersecurity institutions, for the support they provided to Qatar in favour of hosting this tournament, pointing out that this is seen as a part of the cooperation that extends beyond the multiple partnerships between the two countries.
Responding to the media attack on Qatar, HE Sheikh Mohamed said that Qatar, when it was awarded the honour to host FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, was determined to have multi-faceted tasks to attain its organisation that impressed the entire world.
He said that many people think that the World Cup was the main reason behind the reforms that have been made in the recent years, however, Qatar sees the World Cup as merely a catalyst for that process.
He stressed that change is an ongoing process, unconnected to a specific event or stage, noting in this regard that His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani’s vision is a transformational one for Qatar in terms of keeping pace with developments taking place around the world.
He confirmed that the human rights issue in Qatar is the state’s responsibility toward its people and everyone who lives on the land of Qatar, stressing that the country has been decisive on this matter, pointing out that the reforms adopted are intended to serve this objective.
HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs said that some media institutions did not take the reforms that have been made by Qatar into consideration, but they came out with a pre-judgment even without visiting Qatar or engaging in a conversation with the state’s officials, even though Qatar always opens its doors to everyone and has been engaging in dialogue since the start of these attacks.
He added that Qatar cannot alter the opinions of those who want to compromise its reputation to attain their goals or other intentions, adding that such goals have nothing to do with Qatar, however, the vast majority of people and football masses when they came to Doha were surprised by the success of the preparations.
HE Sheikh Mohamed also pointed out that Qatar and the Qatari people are always generous and welcome all people.
He pointed to the joy in the eyes of people by hosting this event, including the happiness of the masses and the joy at their participation and their enjoyment of trying something new that has not been tried before.
He noted the existence of a work programme through which Qatar and the US have teamed up to build the capacities among the various institutions and the law enforcement agencies, in addition to learning and utilising the expertise available in the US, pointing out that there are points of agreement and points of disagreement, because such matters are usually appropriate in the society in which they are applied.
He conveyed a message to the media and public opinion that Qatar welcomes all people and its doors remain open, calling for the importance of focusing on football and everything that happens on the pitch, adding that those who would like to launch pre-judgments solely for achieving other goals, will only have a temporary impact, but ultimately the reality on the ground will prevail to talk about itself.
He looked forward to making the tournament in Qatar a station for the convergence of peoples, cultures and all civilisations to enjoy the atmospheres provided by Qatar in Doha, as well as the hospitality experience of the Qatari people and the residents on the land of Qatar.
For his part, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that Qatar has outdone the United States in hosting this amazing and detailed dialogue, just like it did in terms of entertainment.
He added that bilateral relations are at the peak point of the 50-year diplomatic relations and that co-operation is now stronger than ever before, the result of which is that the US and Qatari peoples are now in a better situation.
Blinken also said that the security relationship with Qatar is the most powerful one, highlighted by the fact that Qatar hosts one of the largest US military bases in the region, noting that it serves as an anchor for regional security and stability.
He pointed out that US President Joe Biden designated Qatar as a major nonNato Ally last March.
He also said that this was followed several months later by delivering F-15 aircraft to Qatar Amiri Air Force to augment its defensive capabilities and made the armies amenable to interoperability.
Blinken affirmed that the US and Qatar are engaging in the region and outside the region to bolster stability, defuse tensions and end the conflicts, noting that Qatar had provided vital economic aid to the Palestinian people, helped pay the salaries of the security forces in Lebanon and has been a mediator in the peace agreement between the Chadian transitional government and the opposition groups, adding that Qatar is constantly working to heal the regional rifts which is essential in addressing the common challenges facing the US and its partners.