*Qatar to hold roadshows in several US cities to explore partnerships in technology, investment, energy, and other areas in 2021
*Bilateral ties to be expanded to areas such as education, culture and development
*Qatar has invested more than $200bn in the US economy
* Talks to be held on a range of defence and security issues
*Qatar, US to strengthen counterterrorism co-operation
*MoU signed for Qatar-US 2021 Year of Culture
*MoU signed with US Agency for International Development
HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani said the holding of the third session of the Qatar-US Strategic Dialogue is a demonstration of the flourishing relations between the two countries, enabled by the mutual commitment between His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and President Donald Trump of the United States of America that emphasises broad areas of cooperation as well as the close friendship between the two countries.
The very important development in Afghanistan is the latest example of the close interaction between our two countries at the political level, he said.
In his speech at the opening session of the Third Qatar-US Strategic Dialogue in Washington on Monday, HE the minister: "We, in this third session of the strategic dialogue, are not only strengthening the existing economic, military and security cooperation between us, but also expanding it to include other equally important areas such as education, culture and development." He said the meeting represents another important milestone in historically deep relations between Qatar and the United States of America.
HE Sheikh Mohamed pointed out that the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the Qatar-US 2021 Year of Culture, and the memorandum of understanding with the United States Agency for International Development and Qatar's support to Fulbright scholarships, reflected the range and the depth of joint ties and underscored Qatar's continued constructive engagement despite the unique regional challenges that 'our country has successfully managed during the past three years".
"In addition to our support for many US states and cities in their efforts to deal with the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, the broad range of cooperation demonstrated here at the strategic dialogue makes clear Qatar's strong affinity with the American people. Qatar views the United States not simply as a partner but as an ally and friend."
HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs affirmed that "our commercial partnership remains robust, and it is indeed stronger than ever." In this regard, he pointed out that Qatar has invested more than $200bn in the US economy, and the United States has been an integral investor in Qatar and Qatar's development.
He said: "Together this investment translates into tens of thousands of jobs and life-changing opportunities for our people. We look forward to expanding these relations, through upcoming trade and investment promotion events."
He said these events will include a roadshow in 2021 involving multiple delegations to several US cities to explore partnerships in technology, investment, energy, and other areas.
HE the minister said: "We are also looking forward to our upcoming discussions on issues of common interest and reaffirm our commitment to deepen the partnership in areas that also include joint political and regional interests. We will also discuss a range of defence and security issues, including shared interests, opportunities for regional cooperation, mechanisms for the defeat of malign threats arrayed against us."
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HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs affirmed that Qatar and the US agree that such threats come among the biggest challenges facing the two sides' common vision to promote peace, stability and prosperity in the Middle East region in general.
He said Qatar and the US are at the forefront of partners in international anti-terrorism coalitions and will continue to strengthen coordination and enhance cooperation in a way that reflects all the common values between them derived from international law and security standards.
HE the foreign minister added that the great efforts and progress they are making in respecting mutual guarantees and working to neutralise the threat of terrorism greatly contribute to making the world safer. In this regard, he made clear that nothing clearly shows this matter more than the remarkable progress that has been achieved for the sake of peace in Afghanistan and that the recent start of talks towards reconciliation, which Qatar is pleased to host, represents a truly historic achievement.
HE the Deputy Prime Minister commended US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's leadership role in this challenge.
He said the progress made in Afghanistan also reflects the ongoing US efforts to achieve peace in the Middle East as a whole. He expressed Qatar's praise of the US' firm commitment to peace in the region and expressed Qatar's happiness for the continuing close cooperation between the two countries to achieve this important goal.
Despite regional challenges, including the ongoing blockade against Qatar, cooperation between the two countries has strengthened continuously since the first Qatari-US strategic dialogue was held in January 2018, he said.
He thanked the US for its support for the Kuwaiti mediation to lift the blockade on the basis of respecting the sovereignty and independence of Qatar, stressing that Qatar's foreign policy reflects the values of peace, stability and prosperity, which are the elements that represent the State's national values.
Based on these values, Qatar is not only resilient, but also strong after it strengthened its relations with the international community to unprecedented levels, he noted, pointing out that the two countries' common goal is to deepen the strategic ties between them and to continue progressing forward in strengthening cooperation in the most beneficial joint practical areas.
Concluding his speech, HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs said that Qatar looked forward to hosting the fourth strategic dialogue session next year in Doha.
