(MENAFN- The Peninsula) By Mohammed Osman / The Peninsula
DOHA: The United States has praised the Qatar's stand in dealing with the blockade imposed on it by siege countries. US is expected to involve itself directly in solving the gulf crisis in three months, said a senior US official yesterday.
'Qatar has done an amazing job in terms of weathering the storm, and the US is very impressed by the Qatar has showed strength in this entire situation during the last eight month in facing the challenges of the rift in the GCC and Egypt, said Ryan Gliha, Charge' d' Affaires, ad interim of the US Embassy in Doha, speaking at a press conference held at his residence, yesterday.
'We anticipate efforts from the White House to involve it directly to find solution for the Gulf crisis within the coming three months, he added.
He said that the high-level Qatar Strategic Dialogue reflects the strengthening of relations between the two countries as several Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) were signed during the event.
'We discussed the Qatari offer and plan to make major investment in infrastructure of the base with the intention of trying to improve the facilities, try to make them more permanent facilities. US appreciated that offer and we are committed to continue to study that offer and what that means for the next two years, he said.
Three important documents were signed between the US and Qatar, outlining their joint cooperation in areas of mutual concern/opportunity including political cooperation, defense, counter-terrorism, trade & investment. 'These include an MoU that establishes the convening US-Qatar Strategic Dialogue on an annual basis going forward, to continue building on the close partnership between our two countries, he said.
A joint declaration outlining the United States cooperation with Qatar on matters of shared regional and security interests, an MoU for creating a framework for the cooperation between the United States and Qatar to combat human trafficking were signed, he said. 'The dialogue is the best example of the shift in the US- Qatar relationship to a more strategic matter, where the two countries can rely on each other's support and joint interests in different fields including security, media policy files in the region, education, culture and science, he added.
Major issues discussed during the meeting included Libya, Syria, Palestinian- Israeli conflict and Yemen. The two parties discussed specific areas of cooperation through military to military discussions, and talks about the long standing and close partnership between US and Qatar, the shared fight against terrorism and extremism in the region.
'The hosting of Central Command and Al Udaied base is an essential element in the fight against ISIS, and nothing could be done without the facility we have been provided by the Qatari government, he said.
'The US is committed to work with Qatar and to work through the Kuwaiti mediation try to get practical solution and US is very much interested in finding solution for the Gulf crisis as soon as possible because the only party benefiting from this rift is Iran and we need to make sure that have a unified front, he said.
Regarding Al Udaied base and the plan to expand the US military existence of US and possible establishment of marine base Rayan told reporters that the US appreciate this offer and it needs to study the offer in detail.
'We have a burgeoning growing military relationship with the Qatari on maritime issues and Qatar has joined and deployed ships to be part of the commander maritime forces, he said. 'The Qatari navy has provided ships and we have also increased the pace of US ships coming to Qatar to take supplies or repairs the maritime forces, he added.
MENAFN0102201800630000ID1096419629
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.