Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani met Prime Minister of the United Kingdom H E Sir Keir Starmer in Paris on Saturday. They reviewed bilateral relations and ways to enhance them.
The two countries have high-level relations and the meeting between the two leaders provided an opportunity to boost efforts for peace in the region, address regional and global challenges and deepen the partnership between Qatar and the UK.
Qatar and the United Kingdom enjoy distinguished relations at all levels, which are growing stronger with the passage of time and serve as a model of friendship. The mutual visits by leaders and senior officials of the two countries reflect the keenness and desire to develop bilateral relations.
Qatar-UK relations are characterised by flourishing trade and investment partnership. The working visit of H H the Amir to the UK in 2022 gave a strong boost to bilateral relations.
H H the Amir visited the UK again in May 2023 to participate in the coronation ceremony of His Majesty King Charles III. He discussed with then British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak cooperation between the two countries.
Bilateral relations between Doha and London have strengthened over the years, which date back to the beginning of oil and gas exploration in the Gulf region. The British companies have played a pivotal role in the development of the oil and gas industry in Qatar and the region. The relations between the two countries have expanded to include political, economic, defense, cultural and educational cooperation.
Qatar’s leadership seeks to transform the country into a global centre for knowledge and innovation-based industries to build a sustainable economy capable of achieving high growth rates in the future. The country aims to expand partnership with the UK further in education, health, sports and security, which are the areas in which the United Kingdom is a world leader.
Over the past few years, relations between Qatar and the UK have gained increased momentum, which reflected in the announcement in October 2021 to launch an annual strategic dialogue between the two countries. The launch of the strategic dialogue shows the existence of a close partnership in trade, investment, defence, security and technology and cooperation in public health, energy, culture, sports, education and fighting climate change,
Qatar and the United Kingdom enjoy exceptional military relations within the framework of the strategic role that Qatar represents in the Gulf and in the region in addition to its constant endeavour to benefit from the UK’s capabilities in the military field.
