US Ambassador to Qatar HE Timmy Davis (centre), Minister of Transport HE Jassim bin Saif Al Sulaiti (second from left), Minister of Trade and Industry HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al Abdullah Al Thani (right), Minister of State HE Dr. Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kuwari (second from right) and Director of Protocol at the Department of State HE Ambassador Ibrahim Yousef Fakhroo (left) cutting the ceremonial cake during the US National Day celebrations held at Le Royal Méridien Doha yesterday.
The US Embassy in Qatar yesterday hosted an event at the Le Royal Méridien Doha hotel to celebrate the country’s National Day, where officials celebrated 50 years of bilateral relations with Qatar.
The celebration took place in the presence of Qatari dignitaries and members of the diplomatic corps, academia and civil society.
Transport Minister, HE Jassim bin Saif Al Sulaiti; Minister of Trade and Industry, HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al Abdullah Al Thani; Minister of State SE Dr. Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kuwari; Director of the Protocol Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador HE Ibrahim Yousef Fakhroo; The Director of American Affairs at the State Department, Ambassador HE Dr. Essa Al Mannai attended the reception along with other dignitaries.
The US Ambassador to Qatar, HE Timmy Davis, highlighted the strong ties between Qatar and the US in areas such as politics, trade, investment, defense, security and education, among others.
Marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations, he said, “US-Qatar relations have been successful for over 50 years.”
“There are six US universities with campuses in Doha, and many Qataris have studied in the United States. We have seen extraordinary growth in educational collaboration over the past decade,” he added.
Ambassador Davis said hundreds of Qataris have visited the US as part of its world-renowned International Visitor Leadership Program, which this year included anti-trafficking programs, volunteerism and women in sports.
The envoy also emphasized that Qatar’s 2021 cultural year focused on the United States and presented a year of activities in both countries to promote trade, travel, higher education and the arts.
“As Qatar prepares for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, joint training exercises and increased information sharing will help create a safe environment for the tournament and beyond,” he added.
“It’s been an impressive year for Qatar,” said Ambassador Davis, citing accomplishments such as supporting the evacuation from Afghanistan — the largest airlift evacuation in US history — and the exciting upcoming FIFA World Cup 2022.
The event also featured a song composed by Qatari songwriter Dana Al Fardan about the 50 years of bilateral relations between Qatar and the US.
