The two governments also signed a Memorandum of Understanding to continue the Strategic Dialogue annually, in addition to several other agreements (see graphic for list of agreements signed).
His Excellency Dr. Khalid bin Mohamed Al Attiyah, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs, and His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, co-chaired the opening session jointly with U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis.
His Excellency Dr. Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada, Minister of Energy and Industry, and His Excellency Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim Al Thani, Minister of Economy and Commerce, participated in sessions with U.S. Secretary of Energy James Perry and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, Jr.
His Excellency Mr. Ali Shareef Al Emadi, Minister of Finance, and U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin co-chaired the closing ceremony.
Political Cooperation
Both countries expressed satisfaction at their recently strengthened and expanded bilateral relationship and stressed the need for an immediate positive resolution of the Gulf Crisis. Each expressed concern about the harmful security, economic and human impacts of this crisis, and affirmed their support for a strong Gulf Cooperation Council.
Qatar emphasized the role of the United States in the region and the significant part it plays in countering threats of terrorism and violent extremism. The two governments discussed regional security and stability, including joint efforts to defeat ISIS, ongoing conflicts in Syria, Iraq, Libya, and Afghanistan, and efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The United States also acknowledged Qatar's generous humanitarian role supporting forcibly displaced populations and assisting refugees.
Defense
The two governments issued a Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation, affirming their commitment to promoting peace and stability and countering terrorism. The United States expressed its readiness to work jointly with Qatar to deter and confront any external threat to Qatar’s territorial integrity that is inconsistent with the United Nations Charter.
U.S. officials lauded Qatar’s support for the sizeable U.S. military presence in Qatar under the U.S. Central Command, and welcomed Qatar’s offer to expand facilities at U.S. bases in Qatar. The United States also thanked the Qatari government for its $24.7 billion in military equipment purchases, which have resulted in over 110,000 American jobs.
Counterterrorism
Both sides committed to strengthening their security and counterterrorism partnership. The United States thanked Qatar for its actions to counter terrorism and violent extremism in all forms, including being one of the few countries to move forward on a bilateral counter-terror Memorandum of Understanding with the United States.
Qatar and the United States intend to begin Anti-Terrorism Assistance training as soon as possible, focusing on key areas such as aviation security, terrorism investigations, and the protection of soft targets.
Trade and Investment
The two governments acknowledged the challenges facing Qatar as a result of the GCC dispute, which disrupted Qatar’s previous trading partnerships. Qatar noted that despite this dispute, it has honored its international trade obligations.
Both governments recognized the importance of Qatar Investment Authority’s committed investment of $45 billion in American firms, real estate, and jobs. Qatar Investment Authority’s chief executive described plans to increase investments in the U.S.
The two governments welcomed a set of Understandings on civil aviation reached on January 29, aimed at ensuring healthy competition in the global aviation sector while maintaining the Open Skies framework of U.S. international aviation policy. Qatar and the United States also signed various Memoranda of Understanding and Letters of Intent in the fields of bilateral trade, investment, technology, and energy.
Forward Together
This now annual Strategic Dialogue process underlines the commitment of both Qatar and the United States to increased cooperation across the board. Qatar and the United States look forward to reporting additional progress in all these areas when the Dialogue reconvenes in Qatar in 2019. Both sides also look forward to further enhancing bilateral relations during the visit of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to Washington later this year.