Doha, August 31 (QNA) - The US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Schenker stressed the importance of the strong partnership between the State of Qatar and the United States of America, noting that Qatar is an important partner in the region.

In a press videoconference held Monday with the local media on the occasion of his visit to Doha, Schenker praised the efforts of the State of Qatar as an effective partner in combating terrorist financing, through its efforts, positions and legislation, stressing that these efforts contribute to preventing the financing of the phenomenon of terrorism.

He added that Qatar is an important member of the Global Coalition Against ISIS, praising its commitment and partnership with the US at all levels.

The US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs stressed the importance of the effective Qatari role in combating terrorism, stressing that it is an indispensable role, especially the role of Qatar in efforts to combat terrorist financing, noting that Washington appreciates Doha's efforts in combating this phenomenon within the framework of partnership and cooperation relations between Qatar and the United States.

Schenker underlined the importance of military and security cooperation between Qatar and the United States, stressing that this cooperation contributes to establishing peace in the Middle East region and dealing with its issues closely and effectively.

He described the State of Qatar as an important ally of his country, stressing that the two countries work side by side in all international forums and organizations.

In response to a question by the Qatar News Agency (QNA) about the Gulf crisis, Schenker said that the United States, at the highest levels, whether in the White House or the State Department, is making a determined effort to solve this crisis and gather its parties to sit at the dialogue table and reach common ground.

He added that the Gulf crisis does not serve the interests of the Gulf states, but rather serves the interests of some parties in the region, stressing that the US administration is working hard to solve the crisis as soon as possible.

He expressed hope for resolving the crisis, leading to a unified Gulf position in facing challenges, explaining that the United States is engaged in talks with all parties to open the airspace and restore diplomatic relations between Qatar and the blockading countries, and stressing his country's keenness to solve the crisis.

David Schenker praised the Qatari role in the Afghan peace talks, whether between the United States and the Taliban movement, which resulted in the signing of a peace agreement in February in Doha, or concerning the intra-Afghan dialogue.

Schenker underlined that Qatar is an important partner pushing the peace process and dialogue in Afghanistan forward. "The United States values that and thanks Qatar for its efforts in this regard," he continued, looking forward to hosting the intra-Afghan dialogue in Doha as well.

On the strategic dialogue between the two countries, the US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs stressed the importance of the strategic dialogue for both sides, noting that it is a diversified dialogue that includes economic, security and military fields, as well as investments and cooperation in the areas of education, culture, health, the efforts to combat the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic and others.

Schenker added that the strategic dialogue is very important for the bilateral cooperation between Qatar and the United States, and pointed to important areas in the framework of the strategic dialogue, including trade, investments, culture, labor laws, regional security, defense cooperation, combating terrorism and the health field in particular, in addition to regional issues and other areas that should be developed. "This year, an agreement related to the cultural relations will be signed to coincide with the Year of Culture and the cultural relations between the two sides," he said.

The US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs stressed the importance of trade between Qatar and the United States, noting that it is one of the most important areas on the discussion table and during the strategic dialogue.

He noted that the volume of trade between the two countries increased by 35% during 2019, adding that there is also more to do in the future besides strengthening the military and defense relations between the two countries, and working to make the region more stable.

He pointed to discussions on cooperation in the education field and the possibility of increasing the number of Qatari students who receive their education in the United States, stressing that this cooperation contributes to strengthening the relations between the two friendly peoples, in addition to discussion related to regional issues of common interest, including peace in Afghanistan.

The US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs noted that his next stop will be Lebanon, expressing in this context his thanks to HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, for the important support and assistance Qatar has provided to Lebanon since the explosion of Beirut port.

He stressed that the United States values its relations with Doha at all levels, which helps the region to be more stable and secure. He also praised Qatars humanitarian efforts everywhere in the world, and its great role in providing support and aid to the international humanitarian community.

In response to a question by Qatar News Agency (QNA) about the reason for the absence of the US role in the Middle East crises such as the Turkish-Greek crisis, the Libyan crisis and the Yemeni crisis, Schenker affirmed his country's full involvement in the regional issues, including the conflict in Libya.

He noted that the United States is working with partners in Europe to solve this worsening crisis, warning at the same time that the Libyan crisis has become global after the entry of regional and international parties into the conflict.

He demanded all militias to leave Libya, adding that his country is involved in efforts to establish peace, foremost among which is the Berlin track. (QNA)