The US has expressed its readiness to work jointly with Qatar to deter and confront any external threat to Qatar’s territorial integrity that is inconsistent with the United Nations (UN) Charter, according to a joint statement issued following the inaugural US-Qatar Strategic Dialogue.
While highlighting the strength of Qatar-US relations, the two sides discussed the Gulf crisis and expressed the need for an immediate resolution that respected Qatar’s sovereignty, the statement noted.
The two countries welcomed the Strategic Dialogue, highlighting the strength of their bilateral relationship and the mutually beneficial opportunities for the peoples of both countries to deepen co-operation, the official Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported.
The statement said the two sides look forward to making progress in the areas of co-operation when the Dialogue reconvenes in Qatar in 2019. “Both sides look forward to further enhancing bilateral relations during the visit of His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani to Washington later this year,” it added.
The US and Qatar underscored the strength of their ties and established a shared vision for the future of their strategic partnership. The two governments took an important step to elevate the bilateral relationship by signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) establishing an annual Strategic Dialogue, the statement noted.
The Strategic Dialogue was held in Washington, DC on January 30. US Secretary of State Rex W Tillerson and Secretary of Defence James N Mattis co-chaired the opening session of the Strategic Dialogue jointly with HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs Dr Khalid bin Mohamed al-Attiyah and HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani.
HE the Minister of Energy and Industry Dr Mohamed bin Saleh al-Sada and HE the Minister of Economy and Commerce Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohamed al-Thani participated in sessions with US Secretary of Energy James R Perry and Secretary of Commerce Wilbur L Ross Jr, respectively. HE the Minister of Finance Ali Sherif al-Emadi and US Secretary of Treasury Steven T Mnuchin co-chaired the closing ceremony.
The two countries discussed specific areas of partnership, including defence, counterterrorism, combating extremism, and trade and investment. “As those conversations continue, both the United States and Qatar believe their continued mutual co-operation will benefit the interests of both countries, as well as the security and stability of the Gulf region,” the statement continued.
Qatar and the US discussed and welcomed enhanced co-operation, particularly, but not limited to the following areas:
*Political co-operation: The two sides expressed satisfaction at the recently strengthened and expanded bilateral relationship. This highlights their shared commitment to advance global peace and prosperity.
The two sides discussed the Gulf crisis and expressed the need for an immediate resolution, which respects Qatar’s sovereignty. The two governments expressed concern about the harmful security, economic and human impacts of the crisis. Concern was also expressed over peace and stability in the Gulf and adherence to international law.
Qatar emphasised its appreciation for the role played by the United States in the mediation of the dispute in support of the efforts of the Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah. Also, Qatar and the US affirmed their backing for a strong Gulf Co-operation Council that is focused on countering regional threats and ensuring a peaceful and prosperous future for all its peoples.
Qatar also stressed the role of the US in the region and the significant part it plays in countering threats of terrorism and violent extremism. The two governments discussed regional security and stability, including joint efforts to defeat ISIS, ongoing conflicts in Syria, Iraq, Libya and Afghanistan, as well as efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, QNA reported.
The US acknowledged Qatar’s generous humanitarian role bilaterally and multilaterally through the work of various UN agencies, in supporting forcibly displaced populations and in assisting refugees, including millions of vulnerable young children and women. Also, the US acknowledged recent progress and commitments made by Qatar on combatting human trafficking and advancing labour rights. The two governments signed an MoU to continue progress in these areas.
The statement observed that the two governments intend to identify and prioritise areas for further co-operation based on the results of the inaugural dialogue and decided to establish a working group to advance common policy priorities and political partnerships.
*Defence: Qatar and the US emphasised the vital contribution their defence partnership provides for the security and stability of the region. This co-operation is key to successfully combating terrorism, countering violent extremism and deterring external aggression. US officials lauded Qatar’s contributions in supporting the sizeable US military presence in Qatar under the US Central Command.
The two governments issued a Joint Declaration on Security Co-operation, affirming the two countries’ commitment to promoting peace and stability and countering the scourge of terrorism. The US expressed its readiness to work jointly with Qatar to deter and confront an external threat to Qatar’s territorial integrity that is inconsistent with the UN Charter.
The two governments discussed the $24.7bn Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme that currently exists between the US and Qatar. Since 2014, Qatar has used its national funds to purchase state-of-the-art military systems and conduct extensive training at US facilities. The US thanked the Qatari government for those purchases, noting they have resulted in over 110,000 American jobs and the sustainment of critical military capabilities for the US.
Qatar highlighted the continued opportunity for future FMS and direct commercial sales, particularly relating to the development of the Expeditionary Amphibious Capability, which could lead to several billion dollars of future acquisitions and training in the near term, as well as an improved ability to defend against external aggression and to better interoperate with US and Nato military forces in coalition operations.
“The US welcomed Qatar’s offer to expand critical facilities at US bases in the country. Qatari funding of capital expenditures and sustainment offers the possibility of an enduring presence, as with US facilities in Europe and the Pacific. The two governments acknowledged the strong and lasting bilateral security partnership, and looked forward to further discussions on the possibility of permanent basing,” the statement observed.
*Counterterrorism: Both sides intend to strengthen their security and counterterrorism partnership to eradicate terrorism and violent extremism. They reviewed the positive progress made under the terms of the MoU on counterterrorism signed on July 11, 2017, including with respect to information sharing, countering the financing of terrorism, aviation security and capacity building. The US thanked Qatar for its action to counterterrorism and violent extremism in all forms, including by being one of the few countries to move forward on a bilateral MoU with the US.
Qatar and the US intend to begin the Anti-Terrorism Assistance training programme as soon as possible, as set forth in a Letter of Intent signed in 2017; the programme will focus on key areas such as aviation security, terrorism investigations and the protection of soft targets.
The two governments also noted the recent conclusion of the MoU between the US Attorney-General and his Qatari counterpart on the fight against terrorism and its financing and combating cybercrime.
Qatar and the US expressed the need to address violent extremism through preventive frameworks. They emphasised the role that both countries are playing in founding and being leading donors of the Global Counterterrorism Forum and the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund.
*Trade and investment: In the field of trade and investment, the two governments acknowledged the challenges facing Qatar as a result of the GCC dispute, which prompted Qatar to seek alternative trading partnerships. Qatar noted that despite the dispute, it has honoured its international trade obligations.
Qatar and the US committed to boosting bilateral trade, the statement said, and they also welcomed the role of US companies in Qatar’s development and of Qatari investment in US firms and jobs. Both countries recognised the importance of bilateral investment and reiterated their commitment to discuss bilateral investment frameworks that address tax policies and reduce regulatory barriers. The Qatari delegation described recent reforms designed to attract foreign investment in Qatar, including free trade zones, expanding ownership for non-citizens, improvement of the banking system and consolidation of the rule of law, including the development of a mechanism for dispute resolution.
The two governments recognised the importance of Qatar Investment Authority’s previously committed investment of $45bn in American firms, real estate and jobs. HE the CEO of Qatar Investment Authority Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohamed bin Saud al-Thani described plans to increase investments in US infrastructure and to expand across the US.
The two governments also recognised the positive outcomes emerging from the bilateral Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) signed in 2004. It was noted that TIFA continues to serve as a platform for increased co-operation in the fields of job creation, property law, communications, customs, SMEs and new markets.
Qatar and the US signed various memoranda of understanding and letters of intent in the fields of bilateral trade, investment and technology. They welcomed the United States Commercial Law Development Programmes partnership with the Ministry of Finance, and officials signed letters of intent on cybersecurity co-operation and smart technologies collaboration.
The two governments welcomed a set of understandings on civil aviation, reached on January 29, aimed at ensuring healthy competition in the global aviation sector while maintaining the Open Skies framework of US international aviation policy.
Anchored in the two countries’ close bilateral economic and strategic relationship, the understandings represent important, high-level political commitments. They affirm both governments’ intention to promote best practices for marketplace participation by their airlines, while ensuring a continuation of the important economic, political and cultural benefits of air services made possible by Open Skies.
Qatar and the US stressed the importance of maintaining freedom of navigation, of overflight and of unimpeded lawful commerce in accordance with international law.
*Forward Together: This new Strategic Dialogue process underlines the commitment of Qatar and the US to increase co-operation in fields that are of the greatest mutual and practical benefit.
The two governments outlined a way forward together for the development of their partnership.
(From left) HE the Minister of Economy and Commerce Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohamed al-Thani, HE the Minister of Energy and Industry Dr Mohamed bin Saleh al-Sada, HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister HE Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, US Secretary of Defence James Mattis, HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs Dr Khalid bin Mohamed al-Attiyah, HE the Minister of Finance Ali Sherif al-Emadi and HE the CEO of Qatar Investment Authority Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohamed bin Saud al-Thani in Washington, DC on Tuesday.
