Britain’s Queen Elizabeth meets HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani at Buckingham Palace in London yesterday. RIGHT: British Prime Minister David Cameron receiving HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani at 10 Downing  Street yesterday.

 QNA/London

 

 Qatar and UK signed a memorandum of understanding for establishing a new political framework following HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani’s meetings with Britain’s Queen Elizabeth and the country’s Prime Minister David Cameron yesterday.

UK Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond and HE the Foreign Minister Dr Khalid bin Mohamed al-Attiyah signed the new political framework – the UK-Qatar Sharaka (partnership in Arabic) – aimed at strengthening bilateral relations.

Hosted by Prime Minister David Cameron, the meeting was part of the Guest of Government visit of HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani to the UK.

In a press statement, the British embassy in Doha said the UK-Qatar Sharaka creates a new forum to discuss important issues and will help strengthen the ties between the two countries across defence and security; culture and sport; education and research; foreign policy; trade and investment; health and energy.

“The UK values its close relationship with Qatar and is keen to further improve the existing strong links between both countries,” said British ambassador Nicholas Hopton.

He noted that the Sharaka will create a formal commitment to strengthen UK-Qatar relations across the board through a bilateral dialogue between the two governments.

The group will meet every six months under the leadership of Tobias Ellwood, Minister for the Middle East and South Asia, and Mohamed bin Abdullah al-Rumaihi, undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In his talks with the British Prime Minister David Cameron, the Emir discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations at all levels.

The official talks, which were held at the Prime Minister’s Office ‘No. 10 Downing  Street’ in London, also dealt with several current international and regional issues, especially the situation in the Middle East region.

The talks were attended by the members of the official delegation accompanying the Emir and several British ministers.

Also on the occasion, Qatar’s ambassador to the United Kingdom Yousuf bin Ali al-Khater handed over a letter to Nick Perry, Adviser to British Prime Minister, concerning a grant from Qatar to support the Margaret Thatcher Scholarship Trust.  

In his talks with Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace, the Emir discussed relations of friendship and co-operation between Qatar and the UK and means of enhancing them besides a number of topics of mutual concern.  

Later the Emir attended a luncheon banquet hosted by Prime Minister Cameron at 10 Downing Street.  

Members of the British cabinet also attended the banquet.

 

 

 

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