His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and HE the U.S. Acting Secretary of Defense Mark Esper held a meeting at the U.S. Department of Defense Pentagon.
At the beginning of the meeting, HE the Acting Secretary of Defense welcomed HH The Amir, and praised the relations between the State of Qatar and the United States, saying that it is stronger than ever before.
His Excellency commended the strategic role played by Al Udeid Air Base and the support for the American military presence. He added that the readiness of the State of Qatar to host the U.S. forces for a long time symbolizes the close ties between the two countries, stressing the importance of these forces to support stability in the Middle East, and praised the efforts of the State of Qatar in easing the current tension.
As for Qatar's continued preparations for hosting the 2022 World Cup, HE Acting Secretary of Defense congratulated HH The Amir on this great sporting event, describing Doha as a wonderful city and affirming that the world will be very impressed by the hospitality of the Qatari people.
For his part, HH The Amir said that the two countries have strong strategic relations and will work together to de-escalate tension in the region, which has been experiencing difficult moments for several years.
HH The Amir said that the region's issues will find ways to ease the escalation if all work closely together.
HH The Amir also expressed his thanks for being hosted at the Ministry of Defense, expressing his aspiration for the 2022 World Cup and also for the next tournament in 2026 which will be hosted by the United States of America.
The meeting discussed the strategic cooperation relations between the two countries and means of developing them, particularly in the defense, military and security fields, and also discussed regional and international developments, especially the joint efforts of the two countries to establish peace and stability in the region.
The meeting was attended by a number of Their Excellencies members of the official delegation accompanying HH The Amir.
HH The Amir was accorded with an official reception ceremony upon his arrival at the U.S. Department of Defense Pentagon.