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Washington/Information Office/10 August 2016/ HE Qatar's Ambassador to the United States Mohammed Jaham Al Kuwari stressed that bilateral relations between the two countries are based on strong foundations that stem from mutual trust. HE the ambassador was speaking at a meeting with a delegation from the World Affairs Council that comprised nearly 40 political, economic and social personalities, notably its president, Tony Culley-Foster; vice chairman of the executive committee and former congressman, James Moran; global communications chair, David Trulio; and international affairs director, Stephanie Fassler. HE Al Kuwari said the Qatari-American ties have reached an advanced stage because they followed the right path based on mutual respect and taking peculiarities into account as well as understanding priorities, which created foundations for these ties in a way that ensure their continuity and growth. He stressed Qatar's keenness on preserving the independence of its decision-making, noting that interests meet without necessarily being identical and adding that consensus that does not eliminate differentiation ensures the protection of those interests and promotes convergence in the longer term. The ambassador said the Qatari-American ties took an upward curve that accompanied the expanding interests between the two countries, which are embodied in a variety of bilateral agreements, particularly the trade and investment agreement. He added that U.S. firms expanded their businesses across the different economic Qatari facilities in the sectors of health, tourism and technology and infrastructure. In addition, HE Al Kuwari said that Qatari investments in the United States have doubled, most recently Qatar Investment Authority's announcement of investing $35 billion in the different American sectors as well as Qatari Diar's investment in City Center DC project in the U.S. capital. HE the ambassador noted that Qatar doesn't invest only for the returns, but out of its commitment to communicating with different societies and cultures. As a result, the State of Qatar was keen on investing in university education, by seeking the help of the most prestigious universities in the world. This was achieved through two means; the first was by hosting six American universities in Doha's education city, or by sending Qatari students to study in the United States. HE the ambassador added that the progress in bilateral relations between Qatar and the United States was a result of their joint strategic goal. The U.S. military presence in Qatar was a reflection of the strength of security cooperation in the commitment to the peace and stability of the region. HE the ambassador concluded his speech by saying that having a balanced relationship between a small country and a super power is possible.