LONDON: His Highness the Amir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has visited Westminster Palace, the seat of the British Parliament.
His Highness the Amir delivered a speech before a number of members of the British Parliament, in which he expressed his deep thanks and appreciation to the Speakers of the House of Lords and the House of Commons, the members of the two Houses, and the friendly British people for the warm reception and generous hospitality with which His Highness and the accompanying delegation were received during the visit.
His Highness the Amir pointed out in his speech that the State of Qatar has developed its constitutional system in harmony with its traditions and cultural specificity, stressing that the first interaction between the two countries began with their signing of the 1868 Treaty, noting the growth and multiple partnerships that relations have witnessed since then.
His Highness the Amir recalled the description of the late Queen Elizabeth II of the relations between the two countries, during a previous visit by His Highness, as being that of two long-standing and trusted friends, adding that the feelings of mutual affection between the two ruling families are embodied in the bonds that unite the Qatari and British peoples, formed through education, diplomacy, business, culture and tourism.
His Highness the Amir also touched on his educational experience at Sherborne School and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, noting that it represented an opportunity to build long-lasting friendships and fond memories of training and educational lessons, which in turn inspired ongoing cooperation between the two countries.
In this regard, His Highness the Amir referred to the participation of the Qatari Amiri Air Force in the joint squadron of Typhoon aircraft with British and Qatari pilots, stressing that this squadron worked to secure the country's airspace during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, while another squadron is training Qatari pilots on advanced Hawk jet trainer aircraft. His Highness noted that his visit represents an opportunity to discuss increasing joint military, defence and security cooperation, by strengthening defence policy, strategy and practices, in terms of equipment and training.
Regarding the two countries' cooperation at the governmental level, His Highness the Amir indicated that they have been working together for decades to solve many major global challenges, considering that this unified approach is of particular importance at this time when the framework of global diplomacy is about to collapse.
Regarding the war on the Gaza Strip, His Highness the Amir stressed that the State of Qatar has worked since the first day of the conflict as a mediator alongside its partners in an effort to stop the violence, release hostages and detainees, and enable the delivery of humanitarian aid. His Highness pointed out that there is still much work to be done, especially in the Gaza Strip, which was almost completely destroyed.
His Highness the Amir also stressed the two countries' position on resolving the Palestinian issue on the basis of the two-state solution through the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state, considering that this is the path to achieving true peace and the desired prosperity.
Regarding the two countries’ strategic partnership in investment, His Highness the Amir expressed his keenness to enhance mutual cooperation in this regard, noting that Qatari companies have invested more than £100 billion in the British economy, and are pumping billions of dollars annually into the tourism sector. His Highness also expressed Qatar’s aspiration to increase investment in the infrastructure, science and technology sectors, including artificial intelligence, defense and education, in addition to healthcare and health technology.
Regarding educational exchange between the two countries, His Highness the Amir stressed that cooperation in this field enhances relations that will benefit both countries in the distant future, noting that more than three thousand Qatari students are studying in various cities in the United Kingdom, in addition to tens of thousands of graduates.
His Highness the Amir praised the British universities operating in the State of Qatar, by offering their programmes to students within the country and from the entire region.
In their speeches, Sir Lindsay Hawley, Speaker of the House of Commons, and Lord MacFall, Speaker of the House of Lords, welcomed His Highness the Amir and the accompanying delegation, stressing the strength of Qatari-British relations. They expressed their countries’ keenness to consolidate these relations in various fields, and their countries’ aspiration to continue close cooperation on regional security and stability issues in the region.
His Highness the Amir was accompanied during the visit by Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, and a number of Their Excellencies members of the official delegation.