DOHA: It’s time to find a solution to the Gulf crisis which has dragged on for long, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in Washington on Monday.
Pompeo was addressing the opening session of the Qatar-US Strategic Dialogue, a high-level meeting between foreign and commerce officials of the US and Qatar, being held in Washington.
“It’s past time to find a solution to the Gulf rift. Trump administration is eager to see this dispute resolved and to reopen Qatar’s air and land borders currently blocked by other Gulf states. I look forward to progress in this issue,” the US Secretary of State said.
Pompeo’s statement assumes significance amid reports that the US is trying intensively to solve the Gulf crisis.
Qatar’s role commended
Pompeo commended Qatar’s role in bringing the Taliban and the Afghan government to a table to negotiate peace. “Qatar is playing an important role in reducing tension in Syria and Lebanon (as well),” he added.
Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani also addressed the meeting.
Sheikh Mohammed thanked the US for supporting the Kuwaiti mediation to resolve the blockade on the basis of respect for the sovereignty and independence of the State of Qatar.
“Qatar’s foreign policy continues to represent peace, stability and prosperity that reflects our national values. Due to these values, Qatar not only stands firm in the face of the blockade but is indeed stronger having developed its relations with the global community to unprecedented levels,” he said.
US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross are set to meet leading officials from Qatar, including Sheikh Mohammed and Minister of Finance H E Ali Shareef Al Emadi.
2021 Year of Culture
The event will also see the signing of an MoU to feature US cultural themes in Qatar’s 2021 Year of Culture, which will enhance cultural and educational exchanges between the two countries.
Sheikh Mohammed said: “We look forward to expanding our strategic and investment relationship with Washington in 2021. The strategic dialogue between our two countries confirms aspects of cooperation and friendship between us.”
The success in bringing the Taliban and the Afghan government to the negotiating table reflected the extent of the mutual cooperation between the US and Qatar, he added.