Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Qatar H E Neerav Patel
Doha, Qatar: Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Qatar H E Neerav Patel (pictured) underlined that Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani’s visit to the UK will contribute to boosting bilateral cooperation across various fields, hailing the relations between Qatar and the UK as “deep and historic”.
In a statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA), Ambassador Patel said the visit will also be personal as H H the Amir and HM King Charles III have a strong relationship stretching back over decades, adding: “The Buckingham Palace is delighted to host H H 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 defence and security,” he stressed.
He said that 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.
Ambassador Patel emphasised that over the past ten years, the relationship between Qatar and UK has blossomed immeasurably and the collaboration spreads across health, education, science, people, culture, sports, and the list is still growing.
“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,” he added.
Bilateral trade between Qatar and UK was £7.8bn at the end of Q4 2023. In 2022, the UK and Qatar signed the Strategic Investment Partnership. Since then, Qatar has invested around £1.2bn in the UK, creating jobs and growth in sectors such as fintech, clean energy, life sciences, and cybersecurity.
He indicated that Qatar and the UK have opportunities to work bilaterally in a number of areas that remain key to address global challenges including artificial intelligence; genomics and precision health, including addressing the treatment of rare diseases, and cancer care; renewable energy; antimicrobial resistance; biosecurity and pandemic preparedness; food security and collaboration on strengthening supply chains.
Highlighting Qatar’s role in enhancing regional stability, Ambassador Patel emphasised 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.
Ambassador Patel also highlighted the pivotal role of cultural diplomacy in strengthening ties between the two countries.
