Amir's UK visit reflects strong ties, will witness signing of defense agreements: Qatar's envoy

HE the Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the United Kingdom Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Saud Al-Thani emphasised that the visit of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to the United Kingdom is of great importance, coming within the framework of the distinguished relations between His Highness the Amir and King Charles III of the United Kingdom.Speaking to Qatar News Agency (QNA), HE Sheikh Abdullah said that the strong relationship between His Highness the Amir and King Charles III strengthens the ties between the two countries, noting that all ministries and agencies in the United Kingdom are fully prepared for His Highness the Amir's state visit, as it reflects the strong relationship between the two countries that spans more than 5 decades at the diplomatic level, and long decades of solid historical relations that are of value and importance to the British government.He also highlighted the distinguished relations between Qatar and the United Kingdom in the field of defense, noting the ongoing joint naval, air, and ground exercises between the two countries. He noted that defense cooperation will witness significant development following His Highness the Amir's visit to the United Kingdom, as several important defense agreements are expected to be signed during the visit, enhancing the strategic partnership in this field.He affirmed the importance of Qatari investments to the British economy, as well as their significance for the State of Qatar. He pointed out that Qatari investments in the UK are diverse across various sectors, noting investments in the Olympic Village, as well as in the business sector, which are highly appreciated by the British government.Regarding the free trade agreement between the UK and the GCC countries, HE Sheikh Abdullah said that from the first day of his tenure in the UK, he held meetings with the ambassadors involved in this matter. The free trade agreement was a key topic in these meetings, he said, adding that there is a unanimous agreement that this issue should be concluded as soon as possible. He mentioned that held meetings with British government officials, and the agreement has been placed as a priority for the new government, pointing out that Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jassim Mohammed Albudaiwi visited the UK after the First EU-Gulf Cooperation Council summit to discuss the agreement, which will be completed in the near future.HE Sheikh Abdullah also spoke about the pivotal role played by the State of Qatar in conflict resolution and mediation at the highest level. He pointed out that this is part of Qatar's constitution, and in the recent constitutional amendment, Qatar's role in resolving conflicts and mediation was reaffirmed. He explained that Qatar's role in mediating to resolve regional crises is highly appreciated by British officials, who stress the importance of continuing this role due to Qatar's credibility.He added that Qatar's efforts in mediation and conflict resolution have been successful, addressing more than 50 cases and achieving tangible results, such as the release and exchange of prisoners and defusing crises in multiple locations. These include mediation efforts in Gaza several times, as well as in Afghanistan, Lebanon, and Yemen, His Excellency pointed out, noting that major powers have praised Qatar's role and insisted on its continuation, with the latest statement by US President Joe Biden stressing the need for Qatar's mediation in Gaza.HE Sheikh Abdullah concluded his statements to QNA by saying that His Highness the Amir's visit to the UK is gaining significant attention in the United Kingdom. He noted that for about two months, meetings with British officials have been ongoing in preparation for this visit, and everyone hopes it will yield the desired results in areas such as defense, health, education, investments, and at all levels. He highlighted the significant efforts being made in the education sector, with around 4,000 Qatari students in British universities, saying there is no doubt they will play a major role in Qatar's labor market in the future.