U.S. President Joe Biden announced during his visit on Monday that the U.S. had decided to designate Qatar as a major non-NATO ally, reflecting the “importance of the bilateral relationship” and its status as a “good friend and capable partner.” Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim Al Thani travels to Washington, D.C.
“Our partnership with Qatar over the past year has been critical to many of our most important interests — relocating thousands of Afghans; preserving Gaza,” Biden said at a joint news conference with Qatari leaders. Stabilize, provide life-saving aid to Palestinians; continue to pressure ISIS and deter threats across the Middle East; and more.”
Biden said the U.S. and Qatar have a shared interest in “ensuring the stability of the global energy supply.” If a conflict with Russia jeopardizes Russia’s natural gas supply to Europe, the United States will rely on Qatar and other countries to intervene in natural gas supply.
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The U.S. president also spoke about the business and investment relationship between the two countries, praising Qatar Airways for the more than $2 billion order it placed with Boeing on Monday.
The United States has designated 18 countries, including Pakistan, as major non-NATO allies. Unlike the defense of NATO allies becoming the collective responsibility of the alliance, the designation does not imply a defense commitment – but it enables a country to gain military and financial advantages.
Biden called Qatar “long overdue” as a major non-NATO ally. He then sent letters to the Speakers of the House and Senate, saying: “I am making this appointment in recognition of Qatar’s many years of commitment to the US-led U.S. Central Command Area of Responsibility and recognition of our deepening bilateral defense and security cooperation with the State of Qatar. national interests.”
In a recent briefing, a senior administration official said the U.S. was “extremely grateful” for Qatar’s help with Afghanistan — including serving as a major transit point for the 60,000 evacuated from Afghanistan, and joining the U.S. and the international community in helping For the Taliban, an inclusive government and respect for human rights are needed.
Qatar played a key role in U.S.-Taliban negotiations but ran counter to the terms of the peace process signed in Doha, the Afghan government collapsed, the withdrawal of U.S. troops was chaotic, and the Taliban assumed absolute power after crossing Doha. The country launched a violent offensive last year.
Complete News Source : Hindustan Times
