(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) BRUSSELS, March 7 (KUNA) -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed the Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, to NATO Headquarters on Wednesday where the two leaders discussed the security situation in the Gulf region and the partnership between NATO and Qatar.
The Amir was accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Bin Jassim Al-Thani.
He and the NATO Deputy Secretary General, Gottemoeller jointly signed an agreement between the Government of the State of Qatar and NATO regarding the presence of NATO Personnel and Forces in Qatar and cooperation on military and security issues.
The agreement allows NATO forces and personnel to enter and transit Qatar, and to use the Al-Udeid Air Base. This will facilitate NATO missions and operations in the region, including the Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan, according to a NATO statement.
The Secretary General welcomed this agreement, as well as the strong political dialogue between Qatar and the Alliance. NATO and Qatari forces have operated side-by-side in Libya and jointly tackled piracy challenges off the coast of Somalia, it said.
Qatar is one of four countries - along with Bahrain, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates - participating in NATO's Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI). Launched in 2004, ICI seeks to promote political consultation and practical cooperation between NATO and countries in the Gulf region, the statement added. (end) nk.ibi
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