Qatar is a strong and key regional partner in countering terrorism and combating the financing of terrorism, US Assistant Secretary of Near Eastern Affairs David Schenker has said.
“The State Department applauds Qatar for the implementation of new anti-money laundering legislation and countering the financing of terrorism. The US appreciates Qatar’s role as an active partner in the global coalition to defeat ISIS,” he told reporters at a virtual press briefing yesterday.
Schenker is visiting Kuwait and Qatar this week to meet with senior government officials and discuss counter-terrorism and regional security issues. He will be travelling to Lebanon as well and meet with Iraqi partners in the region.
He underlined Qatar’s strong commitment to combating global terrorism and dedication to its partnership with the US on counter-terrorism and regional security.
“Close ties with Qatar are indispensable for security co-operation and we will continue to work closely together to stop the financing of these organisations,” Schenker said. “It’s no secret that we greatly value our strategic military partnership with Qatar. It’s one of our closest military allies in the region.”
Al Udeid, Schenker noted, is home to the Combined Air Operations Centre, which hosts personnel from 18 nations and houses more than 8,000 US military personnel – responsible for all coalition air operations in the Middle East and Central Asia.
He said Qatar and the US will hold a dialogue, tentatively scheduled later this month, aimed at further strengthening bilateral relations in various fields of co-operation.
“We plan to have high-level discussions on trade, investment, education, culture, labour rights, regional security, and defence co-operation, as well as law enforcement and counter-terrorism and public health collaboration, as well as efforts to combat coronavirus (Covid-19),” Schenker said, noting that the Qatar – US relationship extends well beyond security and military.
New education, scientific and cultural initiatives will also form part of the talks between the two countries, he added.
Schenker thanked the government of Qatar and His Highness the Amir for working with the US Air Force Central Command to deliver large donations to Beirut earlier this month.
“What a great job Qatar has done in Lebanon and what they’ll do going forward perhaps not only in Lebanon but also elsewhere in the region, from Iraq to Yemen. The government of Qatar, the Amir has tremendous vision and that’s been incredibly generous in some of the more dire humanitarian situations and helping to ameliorate the conditions throughout the region and some of the suffering,” Schenker said.
“I think it’s been invaluable. I think Qatar has been generous and I think they’ve been a great partner to the international humanitarian community.”
“The US values its strategic relationship with Qatar and I look forward on this trip to further strengthening the ties between our two countries and working with Qatar to make the region more stable and peaceful for all,” Schenker said.
David Schenker talking to the media yesterday.
