Director of the Department of Policy and Planning at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Dr. Khalid bin Fahad Al Khater
The Director of the Department of Policy and Planning at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs H E Ambassador Dr. Khalid bin Fahad Al Khater said that there is remarkable and sustainable development in relations between the State of Qatar and the United States of America.
This relationship has enhanced the Gulf and Middle East’s strategic, defense, security, and economic priorities.
During his virtual participation in a dialogue on preserving the strategic presence of the United States of America in the Gulf organised by the “American Security Project” on the occasion of the launch of the report on the state of strategic cooperation of the US in the Gulf region, Al Khater said the American presence could not be separated from the development of sound and strong American policies in the region.
Qatar is considered important because its general approach to foreign policy looks to the future and realises that the region cannot move forward without adopting a broader strategy to achieve a shared and responsible future. He added that this approach is not limited to national interests between countries but also accommodates good governance requirements to achieve stability in the region.
Al Khater stressed that there is an urgent need for such a multi-faceted and balanced approach, especially during this period, which is witnessing a transformation into a new phase of regional relations that requires working together towards a shared and responsible future for the region.
He noted that the United States’ close relations with Qatar would contribute to achieving common regional goals through balance, cooperation, and sustainability.
He explained that the Qatari and US strategic dialogue launch in January 2018 and other subsequent annual dialogues established a vital mechanism to strengthen relations between the two countries.
Al Khater said the American strategic presence in the Gulf and elsewhere in the Middle East is an issue that provokes many points of view, noting a common perception that the Gulf region is still the heart of the Middle East.
He stressed that the Gulf countries are essential in the energy sector, but they play a pivotal role in shaping investment decisions around the world and their contribution to maintaining the region’s security.
The Ambassador added that the Gulf states have had an increasing impact on the broader dynamics of the Middle East.
Still, some challenges disturb security, weaken regional unity, and lead to security crises and conflicts.
Al Khater also said that for most experts, the logic of national security means that US-Gulf relations may witness periods of expansion followed by recession, but in any case, America will not wholly separate from the region.
He noted that despite what was said about reducing the American role, the Biden administration took early care of Gulf security as a priority on its agenda.
