‘US is committed to make the partnership with Qatar stronger’

US President Joe Biden and US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin were all praise for Qatar after they met with His Highness the Amir of State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Washington.
In a tweet, the US president said, “I met with HH the Amir of State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. I designated Qatar as a Major Non-NATO Ally in recognition of our strong partnership over 50 years. We reaffirmed our unwavering interest in promoting security and prosperity in the Gulf and Middle East region.
During the meeting with HH the Amir on Monday, Biden had said, “Qatar is a dear friend, reliable and capable partner, and I will inform Congress of my intention to classify Qatar as a major non-NATO ally of the United States, which reflects the importance of our relations.”
He stressed that this step should have been taken a long ago. Biden expressed his thanks to HH the Amir for the visit and his commitment to the friendly relations between the two countries and peoples.
For his part the US Defence Secretary praised the strong and strategic relations between Qatar and the US, noting that the US is committed to making the partnership with Qatar stronger than it is now.
“It was an honor to meet with @TamimBinHamad, the Amir of Qatar, at the Pentagon today. We reaffirmed the strength of the bilateral defense partnership that is a key component of the US strategic relationship with Qatar,” Austin said in a tweet.
The US Defence Secretary also expressed thanks and appreciation for the support Qatar has provided, and continues to provide, to his country in Afghanistan, including the evacuation of more than 124,000 people and the reception of others who left Afghanistan in search of new beginnings.