Qatar a reliable & capable partner: Biden

QNA Washington His Highness the Amir of State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and US President Joe Biden discussed the strong bilateral strategic ...

QNAWashingtonHis Highness the Amir of State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and US President Joe Biden discussed the strong bilateral strategic cooperation relations between the two countries, and the ways to develop and strengthen them in various fields.They also discussed, during the meeting which was held at the White House on Monday, the most prominent regional and international developments.At the outset of the meeting, the US president welcomed HH the Amir, saying: “I am pleased to have a true friend today with whom we have had a wonderful relationship since I took office and before that... I welcome you to the White House."President Biden noted the partnership of the two countries that extends for 50 years, which in the past year has been at the forefront of many American interests, including the evacuation of tens of thousands of Afghans, the preservation of stability in Gaza by providing aid to save Palestinian lives and dealing with threats in the Middle East, and many others.The US president said many issues were discussed, including security in the Gulf region and the Middle East, the stability of global energy supplies, the continuation of bilateral work to support the Afghan people, and the strengthening of trade and investment cooperation between the two friendly countries.Biden welcomed the deal singed by Qatar Airways Group with Boeing, considering it one of the largest deals ever concluded by Boeing and will create tens of thousands of jobs in the United States.On Qatar, Biden said, “Qatar is a dear friend, reliable and capable partner, and I will inform Congress of my intention to classify Qatar as a major non-NATO ally of the United States, which reflects the importance of our relations.”He stressed that this step would have been taken a long ago. Biden expressed his thanks to HH the Amir for the visit and his commitment to the friendly relations between the two countries and peoples.For his part, HH the Amir expressed his sincere thanks to President Biden for the warm welcome, stressing that the year 2022 is very important as it marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between of Qatar and the United States. HH the Amir expressed his pride in these strong relations and what the two countries have achieved since its founding.HH the Amir affirmed that his talks with President Biden focused on the security of the region, noting the strength of the two countries that have reached an important milestone in their work together in Afghanistan. In this regard, HH the Amir expressed his pride in helping to evacuate tens of thousands of people from Afghanistan. HH the Amir also said he discussed with the US President various issues, including the rights of the Palestinian people and other issues of the region, expressing his pride and pleasure in the relations that unite Qatar and the US. He also stressed the continuation of working together to find ways to achieve peace in the region.From the Qatari side the talks were attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Thani, Secretary of His Highness the Amir for Investment Affairs, HE Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Head of the Amiri Diwan, and HE Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Khulaifi, Head of the State Security Service HE Mohammed bin Nasser Al Hajri, Director of Studies and Research Department at the Amiri Diwan, HE Sheikh Meshaal bin Hamad Al Thani, Ambassador of Qatar to the United States.From the American side it was attended by Anthony Blinken, Jake Sullivan, National Security Adviser, William Burns, Brett McGurk, Deputy Assistant to the President and Coordinator for Middle East and African Affairs.