The upcoming US-Qatar Strategic Dialogue, scheduled for later this month, will focus on a range of issues including regional security and defence cooperation, said David Schenker, Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, yesterday.
Addressing a video press conference in Doha, Schenker said that along with military and defense ties, US and Qatar will work to build upon the strong bilateral relations in several areas including trade, education, science and culture.
“During the US-Qatar Strategic Dialogue, which is tentatively scheduled for later this month, we plan to have high-level discussions on trade, investment, education, culture, labour rights, regional security and defence cooperation, as well as law enforcement and counterterrorism and public health collaboration to combat COVID-19,” said Schenker. “We will discuss a broad range of issues that concern regional perspective, our shared common threat perception and areas that we want to work on to develop,” he added.
Schenker is in Doha as part of his visit to Kuwait, Qatar, and Lebanon. In Qatar he will meet government officials to discuss bilateral relations, counterterrorism, regional security issues and preview of US-Qatar Strategic Dialogue.
He also said that discussions in the area of culture will focus on Qatar-US cultural year, enhancing bilateral trade which has seen a 35 percent increase in 2019, compared to the previous year and attract more Qatari students to study in the US.
He added that Qatar is a strong and key regional partner in countering terrorism and combating the financing of terrorism. “The State Department applauds Qatar for the implementation of new anti-money laundering, countering the terrorism financing legislation and appreciates Qatar’s role as an active partner in the global coalition to defeat ISIS,” he said.
Emphasising on the military partnership between Qatar and US, Schenker said, “It’s (Qatar) one of our closest military allies in the region.”
“There’s more we can do enhancing our already excellent bilateral military relationship….US and Qatar are working together to promote peace, stability in the Middle East,” he said.
“Our close ties with Qatar are indispensable for maintaining security in Gulf region,” he added. “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,” said Schenker.
Schenker who will be leaving to Lebanon from Doha, lauded Qatar’s assistance efforts in the wake of the August 4 Beirut port explosion.
“The next stop, my trip will be Lebanon. And I’d like to thank the government of Qatar and the Amir for working with our Air Force Central Command to deliver private donations to Beirut earlier this month,” he said. In reply to a question on Qatar’s humanitarian work in the region, Schenker said, “Qatar has been generous and they’ve been a great partner to the international humanitarian community.”
