HE Minister of Foreign Affairs: Today we held constructive meetings. The first being at the bilateral level between the State of Qatar and the United States. We then held a tripartite meeting in the presence of our brothers from Kuwait to discuss the developments of the Gulf crisis and the valued efforts of our brothers in the State of Kuwait and the help from our friends in the United States of America.
In terms of bilateral affairs, several matters and points were agreed on. A memorandum of understanding was signed between the two countries to combat the financing of terrorism. This memorandum falls within the framework of bilateral cooperation between the United States of America and the State of Qatar. This memorandum is the result of joint efforts between the two countries to develop mechanisms to combat terrorism, the exchange of experiences and information, developing this mechanism, and developing institutions among countries.
As for the other areas of bilateral cooperation, we discussed continued cooperation and consultation on all regional and political issues, but the main outcome for us today is the memorandum of understanding regarding combating terrorism. The State of Qatar has been the first to sign an executive program with the United States to combat the financing of terrorism and we call upon the rest of the blockading countries to join us in the future.
Thank you, Foreign Minister.
HE the United States' Secretary of State: Thank you for welcoming us in Doha today, and we appreciate the time we were able to spend with His Highness the Emir of Qatar. Today, I am here in Qatar carrying the message that President Trump has directed to the countries, which is to eradicate terrorism from the face of the Earth. Every country is responsible for ensuring that they are not a safe haven for terrorism and terrorists. This came as a result of weeks of discussions to revive the spirit of the Riyadh Summit.
This memorandum of understanding addresses the process of halting the financing of terrorism and intensifies counterterrorism measures and activities globally. The memorandum ensures that the two countries share responsibility and obligations, for the United States and Qatar will do more to cooperate in exchanging information and halting the financing of terrorism to keep our countries safe.
I commend the leadership p of His Highness the Emir of Qatar as he is the first to respond to the requirements of the Riyadh Summit to stop the financing of terrorism, and I would like to thank His Highness for their efforts and reception today.
Question: Haitham Abu Saleh from Al Jazeera – Your Excellency Qatar's Foreign Minister, what is your response to the leaking of the Riyadh agreements and the consolidation of the leak?
HE Minister of Foreign Affairs: First, regarding the leaking of the Riyadh agreement last night and the timing at which this agreement was leaked. They are clear efforts to undermine the mediation of the brotherly State of Kuwait, and an attempt to influence the visit, efforts and endeavors of the United States. If this leak is to reflect something, it would be the approach of these countries who leaked the list of demands themselves, unfortunately, to undermine the mediation. We wonder about the level of confidence in these countries and their international relations now after leaking such confidential documents that are usually respected by companies as they are on the company level and not at the state level. As for what was mentioned and the leaks by the media campaign, about the State of Qatar's lack of commitment to the Riyadh agreement, they are all inaccuracies. The State of Qatar has complied with all the provisions of this agreement and there are records attesting to Qatar's commitment. There is a collective commitment from all countries, and the State of Qatar is not mentioned as the only country that is obliged to abide by this agreement. Meanwhile, the actions taken against the State of Qatar are clear violations of this agreement by the countries of the blockade as they have not used any of the dispute resolution mechanisms mentioned in this agreement. As we have mentioned earlier, if there are any grievances they must be addressed according to the provided mechanisms, whether in the Riyadh Agreement or the GCC Charter.
Question: A question for the two minister. A few days ago, the discussion over what is going on in the Gulf was said to play out a long time and maybe even months. Will there be a similar agreement today and can this issue be resolved or will it last for months?
HE the United States' Secretary of State: I think it is important to first ensure that a clear understanding of the memorandum that was signed today. It is an agreement we have been working on for a period of time and there are elements and factors that have been ongoing for a year. What we see here is the culmination of this vital work and a result of our discussions at the Riyadh Summit, and what President Trump called for. Qatar takes the initiative to take action regarding issues that have been discussed but have not been completed, and puts them in a context of a strong agreement with obligations that must be worked upon immediately and some of them were already implemented.
As for the conflict here in the Gulf, we spent time talking to the Kuwaiti mediator, the Foreign Minister and the Emir of Qatar. My role is to do everything in our power and discuss with both sides in order to move forward and understand each other's concerns. Today, our discussions were good and constructive. I will head to Jeddah tomorrow to meet with the parties on the other side of this issue, and explore their feelings and choices in how to move forward. I do not want to comment on any impressions now or at a certain time as discussion are still ongoing.
HE Minister of Foreign Affairs: As a follow-up to what His Excellency referred to. The agreement, that was signed now, is a separate bilateral agreement between the State of Qatar and the United States. It has been discussed over a period of four weeks, and has nothing to do, directly or indirectly, with the recent crisis and illegal blockade imposed on Qatar. We also support the role played by the Kuwaiti mediator with the support of the United States. We have been positive and frank in participating in a constructive dialogue that will lead to compromise and a resolution. This has been the State of Qatar's usual behavior since the beginning of the crisis. We also hope that the blockading countries will act and behave in the same way.