US Ambassador to Qatar H E Timmy Davis
Terming Qatar “the most reliable friend in the region” for the United States, US Ambassador to Qatar H E Timmy Davis says bilateral relations have broadened and deepened significantly in recent years.
He said relations between the US and Qatar are a model for the region and rest of the world.
“Our relationship with Qatar has been growing in recent years owing directly to the strength of Qatar’s stability. They are always a leader in the region, this seen through our designation of Qatar as a major non-NATO ally,” he said.
“We see this relationship only has room to growth,” he added, highlighting the significance of Qatar’s support in evacuation as the US forces withdrew from Afghanistan last year.
Davis took over as US Ambassador to Qatar recently and addressed a press round table at his official residence in Doha yesterday.
He said the strong ties between Qatar and the US in areas of trade, humanitarian assistance, security collaboration, trade, culture, education and several others will continue to deepen in the years ahead.
“Qatar is the most reliable friend in the region and it is great to have that kind of relationship. Qatar is not just willing to be helpful to us on security issues large and small; they have the capacity to do it. That’s the difference. Qatar has such great relations with the region and the world, when they get involved in something like the recent exchange (assistance in the release of an American citizen who was abducted in Afghanistan in 2020) they work as hard as you imagine making it happen,” said Davis.
Talking about the defence cooperation with Qatar, he said, “Qatar is one of our best security partners in the world, not just in the region. Al Udeid Air Base is here, it has hosted thousands of US personnel over the years. It acts for us as a clear signal of our friendship, our shared valued stability regionally and globally, with the Qatari government.”
Davis, who himself is a football player and arrived in Doha only a few weeks ago, said Qatar’s preparations for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 were “impressive”.
“I am convinced that Qatar will host a model for major international sports events. I’m doing all I can to reassure Americans that coming to Qatar for the World Cup will be once in a lifetime experience,” he said. Davis emphasised that as Qatar prepares for the World Cup, joint training exercises and increased information sharing by the US are helping enable a secure environment for the tournament.
According to Ambassador Davis, around 100,000 American football fans are expected to visit Qatar during the tournament.
“We want American citizens to come here and enjoy and experience Qatar well beyond the World Cup,” he said, reassuring that Qatar was very much welcoming to everyone and provides a safe environment. He also said that the US embassy in Doha will be providing help or counsellor services to fans in case of need.
