U.S. President Joe Biden is scheduled to hold talks with Qatar’s ruling emir at the White House on Jan. 31, the White House said on Tuesday.
Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani will visit Washington to discuss with Biden a range of issues that will include global energy security amid concerns about gas supplies to Europe.
This marks Tamim’s first visit since Biden took office last year. It comes as Washington discusses with energy-producing states and firms a potential diversion of supplies to Europe if Russia invades Ukraine.
On his part, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken addressed the matter with the foreign minister of Qatar in a phone call on Monday, according to a source familiar with the matter who requested anonymity.
The meeting will provide the leaders with an opportunity to discuss “ensuring the stability of global energy supplies,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement.
Other issues will include “promoting security and prosperity in the Gulf and the broader Middle East region” and “supporting the people of Afghanistan,” Psaki added.
Tamim’s visit aims to build on relations with Washington that have strengthened since Doha hosted talks that led to the 2020 deal for the U.S. troop pullout from Afghanistan.
Sources revealed that Tamim and Biden are expected to discuss efforts by global powers to salvage the 2015 nuclear pact with Iran, with which Doha has ties, and efforts to end Yemen’s civil war.
