QNA
Doha
Ambassador of the United Kingdom to the State of Qatar HE Neerav Patel has underlined that the Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani’s visit to the United Kingdom will contribute to boosting bilateral cooperation across various fields, hailing the relations between Qatar and the UK as "deep and historic”.
In statements to Qatar News Agency (QNA), the British Ambassador said the visit will also be personal as HH the Amir of Qatar and HM King Charles III have a strong relationship stretching back over decades, adding: "The Buckingham Palace is delighted to host HH the Amir as the first Arab leader on a state visit. It is a generational opportunity to celebrate and renew our bilateral relationship.”
"The UK-Qatar relationship continues to go from strength to strength. We have for a number of years collaborated on very important issues including foreign policy, economic ties and defense and security,” he stressed.
The UK’s first and only joint air squadron since the Second World War is with Qatar. Qatar is also one of the UK’s most significant trading partners in the Middle East. Over the past ten years, the relationship has blossomed immeasurably. Our collaboration spreads across health, education, science, people, culture, sports, and the list is still growing. The partnership is both historic and modern and will continue to grow and evolve, HE the Ambassador said.
"There is an unshakable foundation to our relationship, based on economic and investment ties, and people ties,” His Excellency continued.
"There is a real sense of dynamism about where we are going next. We will see more collaborations on new and cutting edge fields including genomics, AI and bio-security. We will see closer security collaboration especially on new and emerging threats, and we will also see an even greater breadth of how we work together. This is not just governments. It is businesses, researchers, NGOs, academics, schools, innovators. Together this complex web will grow ever stronger and accomplish even greater things,” the British ambassador said.
"Through this state visit specifically, we aim to expand our bilateral partnership focusing on a multi-generational security partnership, joint leadership on global challenges such as conflict mediation and humanitarian response and then enhance the connectivity of our people and economies,” the envoy emphasized.
He noted that Qatar is one of the UK’s most significant trading partners in the Middle East. Bilateral trade (exports and imports) between the UK and Qatar was 7.8 billion pounds in the four quarters to the end of Q4 2023. In 2022, the UK and Qatar signed the Strategic Investment Partnership. Since then, Qatar has invested around 1.2 billion pounds in the UK, creating jobs and growth in sectors such as fintech, clean energy, life sciences, and cybersecurity.
The envoy emphasized that the UK is committed to the investment partnership in areas of focus, including renewable energy, technology and the creative industries, to help the Qatari government meet its economic plans and to promote growth in the UK; adding that deepening mutually beneficial trade partnerships across the GCC countries is a priority for the UK government, including working towards the conclusion of a GCC Free Trade Agreement, which could further boost trade by 16 percent (8.6 billion pounds).
He indicated that Qatar and the UK have opportunities to work bilaterally in a number of areas that remain key to address global challenges. These include both existing and emerging sectors such as Artificial Intelligence; genomics and precision health, including addressing the treatment of rare diseases, and cancer care; renewable energy; antimicrobial resistance (AMR); biosecurity and pandemic preparedness; food security and collaboration on strengthening supply chains.
The ambassador pointed to bilateral cooperation in policy areas, including internet governance and digital government transformation, while also seeking to address skills gaps to help develop talent for the future, through initiatives such as the establishment of a Qatar-UK precision healthcare academy.
He said the UK and Qatar’s bilateral relationship covers a range of areas, including defence and security partnerships; joint development cooperation; cultural and educational links; and collaboration on cutting-edge research and development.
On global issues, the UK and Qatar have shared concerns particularly about regional conflict, and especially the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza. Qatar is an important partner that the UK listens to and works with on a range of international issues, His Excellency added.
Highlighting Qatar’s role in enhancing regional stability, the British Ambassador emphasized that Qatar is a world leader in global mediation in some of the most challenging conflict hotspots around the world, such as Gaza, Ukraine, Afghanistan, Venezuela and sub-Saharan Africa. "It is thanks to Qatar’s direct efforts that children captured from Ukraine have been reunited with their families that a temporary ceasefire was negotiated in Gaza and first group of hostages held by Hamas were freed. Qatar is not only a mediator. It is a vital partner in bringing peace and stability to conflict zones,” he stressed.
The envoy revealed that the United Kingdom will have a large delegation at the Doha Forum, including the visit by the UK Minister with responsibility for the Middle East. "We are also working on governmental visits in 2025 covering business, science and law.”
The UK ambassador highlighted the pivotal role of cultural diplomacy in strengthening ties between the two countries.
He noted that the British Council, celebrating its 90th year in Qatar this month, continues to support Qatar’s ambition being an educational hub through transnational Education partnerships, most notably supporting UK Alumni network in Qatar, concluding agreements with the Ministry of Education and its related partners, celebrating achievements through biannual UK Alumni Awards, and organizing career development festival in partnership with the Ministry of Education and UK universities in Qatar.