Rasmussen in a statement also thanked Qatar for the "good practical cooperation with the Alliance and praised the active political dialogue between NATO and Qatar."
"Qatar is an important country and an important partner for NATO, ever since you joined our Istanbul Cooperation Initiative", said the NATO chief. "And we look forward to an even stronger partnership in the future".
Rasmussen said that at the NATO Chicago Summit planned for next May, the Alliance is keen to hear the views of partners in the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI) on how to enhance the partnership with NATO. Four Gulf countries, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and UAE are members of the ICI which was launched in the Turkish city during a NATO summit in 2004 aimed at security cooperation with NATO.
"We are determined to strengthen our partnership further. Because NATO has a vital interest in stability and regional security in the Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf region," stressed Rasmussen.
