In an agreement concluded in Washington, Qatar represents US diplomatic interests in Afghanistan

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken affirmed that his country's partnership with Qatar in regional issues is inevitable, and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani considered that the relationship between the two countries has become closer, with the two ministers signing an agreement to represent Qatar with American diplomatic interests in Afghanistan.

During a joint press conference in Washington between the two ministers, Blinken said, "Our partnership with Qatar is imperative with regard to regional issues," explaining that this partnership is broad and is reflected in the constructive dialogue on many issues in the region.

Blinken added that his country is in the process of establishing a unit inside the Qatari embassy in Afghanistan to provide US consular services.

The US Secretary of State explained that relations with Qatar are expanding, and that events in Afghanistan have strengthened the partnership between the two countries, and he continued, "I thank His Highness the Emir of Qatar for giving."

Blinken stated that preparations are underway to celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, considering that it has never been more profound than it is now.

On another topic, Blinken said that his country is concerned about the movements of Russian forces on the Ukrainian border, and that it does not know Russia's intentions. He also made it clear that his country is looking at available tools to counter the use of migration processes as a political means.

Blinken also considered that Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati has a good plan to push Lebanon forward, adding, "We are working to provide fuel in Lebanon and we are working with the army there to ensure stability."

With regard to the Syrian file, Blinken said, "We are concerned about the signals sent by the visit of the UAE Foreign Minister to Damascus... and we remind our partners of the crimes committed by the Syrian regime."

"We are concerned about the signals sent by official visits to Syria, and we do not support normalization with the Syrian government," he said.

Regarding the Ethiopian file, Blinken said, "We are very concerned about the possibility of Ethiopia's internal explosion, and we are working to support mediation efforts between the parties there."

For his part, the Qatari foreign minister said that 2022 will be an exceptional year to revive milestones in US-Qatari relations, adding, "Our relationship became closer when we worked with Washington and international partners to evacuate thousands of people from Kabul."

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani also affirmed that Qatar remains committed to taking the necessary action to achieve stability in Afghanistan.

The Qatari foreign minister stressed that the priority is for aid to reach the Afghan people, especially with the approach of winter, considering that abandoning Afghanistan would be a mistake and that isolation is not a solution to any problem.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani also urged the Taliban to fulfill their obligations and commitments, and also urged the international community to continue to engage in Afghanistan and not to abandon it.

The Qatari minister stressed that his country plays a leading role in meeting the world's energy needs.

In another context, the Qatari Foreign Minister said, "We are concerned with the escalation in Ethiopia and the instability in East Africa."

Regarding the Syrian file, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani said, "We are not currently thinking of normalization with the Assad regime, and we believe that he should be held accountable for his crimes."

The Qatari minister added, "Iran is our neighbor, and our relationship with it is not an obstacle in the way of our relationship with the United States. We disagree with some Iranian policies, but that does not mean that we should not talk to it."

During the press conference, the two ministers signed an agreement under which Qatar will represent and protect US diplomatic interests in Afghanistan.