Day: November 22, 2022

In a joint press conference with HE US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the sidelines of the fifth US-Qatar Strategic Dialogue, currently held in Doha, His Excellency considered this round of the dialogue as an important platform in strengthening those relations that enjoy stable and solid foundations and multifaceted partnership.

His Excellency indicated that the US-Qatar Strategic Dialogue represented an opportunity to address several issues ranging from regional issues and today's global challenges, discuss the latest development concerning the nuclear deal, the developments in Iraq, Lebanon, and Libya, and the Palestinian cause that Qatar sees as its central cause; in addition to joint efforts in Afghanistan.

His Excellency pointed out that this round of dialogue discussed joint cooperation in responding to global challenges, especially the challenges of energy, food security, and other developmental challenges that the world faces today.

HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani added that the State of Qatar and the US share the same point of view regarding these issues, and they look forward to working together among the team works that will resume the talks between the concerned institutions in both countries.

His Excellency added that the State of Qatar always looks forward to strengthening its cooperation with the US, and always having an open dialogue and a relationship based on transparency and mutual trust between the two countries.

His Excellency valued the cooperation shown by the US with its various institutions in support of hosting the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. His Excellency extended his thanks for all the efforts, especially those of the US security and cybersecurity institutions, for the support they provided to Qatar in favor of hosting this tournament, pointing out that this is seen as a part of the cooperation that extends beyond the multiple partnerships between the two countries.

In his response to the media attack on the State of Qatar, HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani noted that the State of Qatar, when it was awarded the honor to host FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, was determined to have multi-faceted tasks to attain this organization that impressed the entire world.

He said that many people think that the world cup was the main reason behind the reforms that have been made in the recent years, however, Qatar sees the world cup as merely a catalyst for that process. He stressed that change is an ongoing process, unconnected to a specific event or stage, noting in this regard that the vision of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani is a transformational vision for the State of Qatar in terms of keeping pace with developments taking place around the world.

He confirmed that the human rights issue in the State of Qatar is the state's responsibility toward the Qatari people and everyone who lives on the land of Qatar, stressing that the State of Qatar has been decisive on this matter, pointing out that the reforms adopted are intended to serve this objective.

HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs said that some media institutions did not take the reforms that have been made by the State of Qatar into consideration, but they came out with a prejudgment even without visiting the State of Qatar or engaging in a conversation with the state's officials, even though the State of Qatar always opens its doors to everyone and has been engaging in dialogue since the start of these attacks.

He added that the State of Qatar cannot alter the opinions of those who want to compromise its reputation to attain their goals or other intentions, adding that such goals have nothing to do with the State of Qatar, however, the vast majority of people and football masses when they came to Doha were surprised by the success of the preparations. His Excellency also pointed out that the State of Qatar and the Qatari people are always generous and welcome all people.

His Excellency pointed to the joy in the eyes of people by hosting this event, including the happiness of the masses and the joy at their participation and their enjoyment of trying something new that has not been tried before.

HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs noted the existence of a work program through which the State of Qatar and the United States have teamed up to build the capacities among the various institutions and the law enforcement agencies, in addition to learning and utilizing the expertise available in the United States, pointing out that there are points of agreement and points of disagreement, because such matters are usually appropriate in the society in which they are applied.

His Excellency conveyed a message to the media and public opinion that the State of Qatar welcomes all people and its doors remain open, calling for the importance of focusing on football and everything that happens on the pitch, adding that those who would like to launch prejudgments solely for achieving other goals, will only have a temporary impact, but ultimately the reality on the ground will prevail to talk about itself.

He looked forward to making the tournament in Qatar a station for the convergence of peoples, cultures and all civilizations to enjoy the atmospheres provided by Qatar in Doha, as well as the hospitality experience of the Qatari people and the residents on the land of Qatar.

For his part, HE US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the State of Qatar has outdone the United States in hosting this amazing and detailed dialogue, just like it did in terms of entertainment.

He added that bilateral relations are at the peak point of the 50-year diplomatic relations and that cooperation is now stronger than ever before, the result of which is that the US and Qatari peoples are now in a better situation. His Excellency also said that the security relationship with Qatar is the most powerful one, highlighted by the fact that Qatar hosts one of the largest US military bases in the region, noting that it serves as an anchor for regional security and stability.

He pointed out that the US president Joe Biden designated Qatar as a major non-NATO Ally last March. He also said that this was followed several months later by delivering F-15 aircraft to Qatar Amiri Air Force to augment its defensive capabilities and made the armies amenable to interoperability.

HE US Secretary of State Blinken affirmed that the United Sates and the State of Qatar are engaging in the region and outside the region to bolster stability, defuse tensions and end the conflicts, noting that Qatar had provided vital economic aid to the Palestinian people, helped pay the salaries of the security forces in Lebanon and has been a mediator in the peace agreement between the Chadian transitional government and the opposition groups, adding that Qatar is constantly working to heal the regional rifts which is essential in addressing the common challenges facing the US and its partners.

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, has met with Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs of India.

During the meeting, which took place in New Delhi, the two ministers discussed ways of strengthening the historic UAE-India relations, under the framework of the comprehensive strategic partnership between their countries.

They also discussed the prospects for boosting trade and economic bilateral relations, within the framework of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which their countries signed in 2022. Moreover, the meeting explored bolstering the two countries' collaboration in the health and technology sectors, given their vitality as drivers of their developmental goals.

Sheikh Abdullah and Jaishankar exchanged views on a number of issues of mutual concern, as well as on the latest developments in the regional and global scenes.

In addition, the meeting discussed India's priorities as the 2023 President of the Group of Twenty (G20), and ways to enhance the UAE's participation in the Group's activities, serving as a guest country for the second consecutive year, as well as boosting the contributions of the private sector in both countries to the G20's activities, given the sector's pivotal role in driving sustainable development.

They also reviewed the prospects of the UAE-India cooperation at the level of multilateral groups and organisations, be it through existing partnerships such as the I2U2 Group, or future cooperation opportunities with BRICS, an informal grouping of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.

Sheikh Abdullah stressed that the UAE and India and their leaderships share strong, historical ties, with their partnership yielding many an achievement that drive sustainable development in the two countries.

In line with the UAE-India CEPA, we are seeking to boost our economic cooperation to achieve our ambitious goal of raising our non-oil trade value to around US$100 billion in the next five years, H.H. Sheikh Abdullah added.

He underscored that the various successes achieved through the UAE-India ties are the fruits of the visions of their leaderships to establish a world-leading model of partnership and cooperation that boost sustainable economic growth and prosperity.

Sheikh Abdullah expressed his eagerness to see a new and prosperous chapter in their countries' cooperation and multipartite work that would contribute to raising their status regionally and globally.

He went on to highlight the UAE's keenness on furthering its participation in the G20 during India's presidency, as well as supporting the private sector's participation in the group's work.

After the meeting, Jaishankar hosted a luncheon in honour of H.H. Sheikh Abdullah and his accompanying delegation.

Present at the meeting were Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemy, Minister of State for International Cooperation; Dr. Abdul Nasser Al Shaali, UAE Ambassador to India; Saeed Mubarak Al Hajeri, Assistant Foreign Minister for Economic and Trade Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC); and Omran Anwar Sharaf Al Hashemi, Assistant Minister for Advanced Sciences and Technology Affairs at MoFAIC.

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation