US Ambassador to Qatar Dana Shell Smith speaking at the annual US National Day gala, yesterday.
The US Ambassador to Qatar Dana Shell Smith yesterday praised the multifaceted relations between Qatar and the US and reassured that the US will continue to preserve its cherished values and principles under the new administration.
Addressing the annual US National Day Gala at St. Regis hotel yesterday Ambassador Smith described the diverse partnership and friendship between Qatar and the US as very special and recognized the contributions at all levels that deepen ties between the two nations every day.
Smith highlighted the economic and educational ties between the US and Qatar, noting, “We have hundreds of American companies working in Qatar, a successful annual Economic and Investment dialogue, countless American brands now available at Qatar’s stunning malls, and so much more. One of the United States’ greatest exports is education and Qatar is quickly becoming a global education powerhouse in its own right.”
“I am very proud of the six US universities that contribute to Qatar’s knowledge economy and researchers and experts that work in Qatari institutions, finding incredible opportunities to innovate in what has to be one of the world’s most dynamic research environments. I am equally proud that 42 of our 50 states have attracted Qatari students to pursue their higher education while discovering that America really isn’t exactly what it looks like on television,” she added.
Flow of tourists between the two countries has increased almost ten folds over the past decade and considerable number of Qataris are visiting the US every year, she said adding that Qatar Airways’ direct flights are instrumental in connecting people from the two countries. Qatar as destination of art, culture and unique heritages is attracting more Americans.
Smith congratulated Doha Film Institute for “picking and funding” the film The Salesman that won Oscar two days ago.
The event attracted a huge gathering including H E Salah Bin Ghanim Nasser Al Ali, Minister of Culture and Sport; H E Mohammed Bin Abdullah Al Rumaihi, Minister of Municipality and Environment, Hamad bin Abdullah Al Attiyah, Chairman of Abdullah Bin Hamad Al-Attiyah International Foundation for Energy & Sustainable Development, Ambassador Zayed bin Rashid Al-Mansour Al-Nuaimi, Director of Department of American Affairs at Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Qatari officials, diplomats, business, cultural, and education leaders who celebrated the strong US-Qatar relationship.
Smith underscored the historic achievements in US-Qatar military cooperation that will contribute to security and stability of Qatar and the region, adding “Qatar is playing indispensable role in fighting against the IS and elimination of humanitarian suffering and resolving conflicts around the world.”
She outlined that “the United States is a friend and partner that Qatar can count on now and in the future to face challenges together” pointing out that both countries “share distinct enthusiasm and optimism about the future”.
Smith reassured the audience regarding the US policies under the new administration, saying. “We are a nation of immigrants and our policy is always informed by our own values which truly makes America great and enshrined in the constitution and exercised everyday by our fellow citizens and these values have not and will not change”.
“Those values are freedom of the press, equal justices under the law, civil rights, access to education and opportunities for all, which are all,” she added.
