HH The Amir, U.S. President Discuss Strategic Cooperation

His Highness The Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and HE President of the United States of America Joe Biden discussed the strong bilateral strategic relations between the two countries and ways of enhancing and promoting them in various fields.

During the meeting held at the White House on Monday afternoon, the two sides also discussed the most prominent regional and international developments.

In a statement at the outset of the meeting, the U.S. President welcomed HH The Amir, saying: “Today I’m honored to be here with a good friend, who has been wonderful — relationship since I’ve been President, and then before.   The Sheikh is — I want to welcome you to the White House.”
President Biden highlighted fifty years of partnership between the two countries, noting that in the past year, the partnership between the U.S. and Qatar has been central to many of the U.S. most vital interests: relocating tens of thousands of Afghans, maintaining stability in Gaza and providing lifesaving assistance to the Palestinians, deterring threats across the Middle East; and a lot more.

Regarding the agenda of the meeting, President Biden noted that he will discuss with HH The Amir many issues including the security in the Gulf and in the broader Middle East, ensuring the stability of global energy supplies, continuing the work together to support the people of Afghanistan, and strengthening commercial and investment cooperation between the two countries.

President Biden applauded the new deal that Qatar Airways Group signed with Boeing, considering it one of the largest deals that Boeing aircraft has ever had, and will support tens of thousands of good-paying U.S. jobs in America.

On the State of Qatar, President Biden said: “Qatar is a good friend, and a reliable and capable partner.  And I’m notifying Congress that I will designate Qatar as a “major non-NATO ally” to reflect the importance — the importance of our relationship.  I think it’s long overdue. 
President Biden thanked HH The Amir for the visit and for his commitment to the friendship between the two countries.

HH The Amir expressed his sincere thanks to President Biden for the warm meeting, and said that 2022 is a very important year as it marks the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic relationship between Qatar and the United States of America, expressing his pride in these solid relations and what the two countries have achieved until now.

HH The Amir said that his talks with the U.S. President will focus on the security of the region, noting how solid and how strong both countries can work together and cooperate, like when they worked together in Afghanistan. In this regard, HH The Amir expressed his pride in helping to evacuate tens of thousands of people from Afghanistan, adding that he will discuss with President Biden other issues, including the rights of the Palestinian people and other issues in the region.

HH The Amir expressed his pleasure and pride in the relations that unite Qatar and the United States. He also stressed the continuation of working together to find ways to achieve peace in the region.

The talks were attended on the Qatar side by HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, HH The Amir's Secretary for Investment Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al-Thani, HE Chief of the Amiri Diwan Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, HE Head of the State Security Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Khulaifi, HE Director of Studies and Research Department at the Amiri Diwan Mohammed bin Nasser Al Hajri, and HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the United States Sheikh Meshal bin Hamad Al-Thani. It was attended on the American side by HE Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, HE National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, HE Director of CIA William Burns, and HE Deputy Assistant to the President and Coordinator for Middle East and African Affairs Brett McGurk.