HH The Amir, US President Hold Official Talks
His Highness The Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and US President Barack Obama held here today official talks at the White House.
The talks dealt with the areas of bilateral cooperation between the two countries and a number of regional and international issues, particularly the latest developments in the Middle East.
HH The Amir and the US President reviewed bilateral relations and ways of enhancing them in various fields including investment, educational, technological areas as well as development of military capabilities of the Qatari Armed Forces in a way that achieves the common strategic interests of the two countries and peoples. They also discussed a number of regional issues and exchanged views on them in addition to the coordination of positions towards them.
In a statement following his talks with HH The Amir, President Obama welcomed HH The Amir and the excellent and close relations between the two countries, pointing to areas of cooperation between Qatar and the United States. He said Qatar is a strong partner and we are long-term partners in multiple security, commercial, educational, scientific and technological areas and that Qatar is a major investor in the United States. Obama added that Qatar is a strong partner in the international coalition against terrorism .. and expressed his thanks to the efforts of Qatar in this area.
The US President said the talks discussed several issues including Iraq, where the two sides stressed the importance of providing opportunities for participation of all Sunni and Shiite parties in the peace process in Iraq.. And the situation in Syria, "where both the United States and Qatar shared deep concern of the situation there and that there should be a comprehensive participation that brings all sectors of the Syrian people to restore their own State, as Assad which has lost his legitimacy."
Obama said discussions also dealt with the unrest in Libya and Yemen, he added he firmly believes that all are trying to find a solution to the problems in these countries, and that there is a serious effort to isolate extremism and extremists in the region, saying "we are working with a number of countries in the region to find a solution to the problem and put an end to the sectarian tensions.. "Qatar is a strong partner in our coalition to degrade and ultimately defeat ISIL," said Obama.
"We are both committed to making sure that ISIL is defeated, to making sure that in Iraq there is an opportunity for all people to live together in peace," Obama said.
He said discussions also dealt with ways of putting an end to Iranian influence in Iraq, saying the United States is doing its best to make sure that Iran does not possess nuclear weapons.
The US President said talks were serious, useful and fruitful, saying that HH The Amir had shown understanding for the concerns of the United States. The United States wants to bring peace to the entire Middle East and the youth in the region would have good favorable opportunities for the future.
Obama concluded his remarks by saying that "Qatar dedicates part of its financial resources for the goals of peace that we all desire."
For his part, HH The Amir expressed his thanks to the US President, referring to the close ties between the two countries stressing the intention to develop them further. HH The Amir said that the two countries share excellent partnership not only in the military fields but also in education and other areas of interest to the future of the two countries.
HH The Amir added that "the interests of the two countries shared in the face of terrorist groups to make sure that what had happened would never happen again and we see what happened in the past is happening now." HH The Amir said the talks also dealt with the Palestinian question and the peace process, which is the most important issue in the region, and that it should be resolved. HH said he was pleased with the efforts made by the US President to establish peace in the region.
The talks were attended by their Excellencies members of the official delegation accompanying HH The Amir. On the US side, the talks were by US Vice President Joe Biden and a number of senior officials.