HH The Amir hails Qatar's strong ties with the UK during state visit
HH The Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and HH Consort of Sheikh Tamim, Sheikha Jowaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani, attended a dinner banquet hosted by HM King Charles III of the United Kingdom and HM Queen Camilla at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday.
In a speech, HM King Charles III warmly welcomed Their Highnesses on their state visit and applauded the exemplary relations between the two friendly nations.
King Charles III expressed his admiration for the tremendous development in Qatar, across all sectors, and his pleasure at the participation of many British companies in the progress.
He also emphasized the importance of Sheikh Tamim’s visit, which represents an opportunity to celebrate the strategic relations between the two countries, and said he looked forward to further cooperation in various fields.
On his part, Sheikh Tamim hailed the strong friendly ties between the two countries and the fruitful strategic cooperation in all areas.
He expressed his deep appreciation to King Charles III and Queen Camilla for their kind invitation, as well as the warm welcome and hospitality accorded to them.
Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani and a number of other top officials attended the dinner banquet.
HRH Prince William of Wales, HRH Princess Catherine of Wales, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and several other members of the royal family were also part of the banquet.
UK Prime Minister Starmer said HH The Amir’s visit to his nation was a great opportunity to strengthen ties between the two countries further.
He said the UK highly valued its relationship with Qatar and that HH The Amir’s state visit presented an opportunity to accelerate progress on mutual priorities, including economic growth.
He said it created opportunities for both countries and improved regional security, which supports global stability.
Sir Keir Starmer said bilateral relations had brought significant benefits to both the UK and Qatar and looked forward to more in the future.
He emphasized that bilateral relations could be further solidified by establishing deeper cultural ties, increasing mutual investments, and continuing close cooperation in security and defense.
Meanwhile, UK’s Foreign Secretary David Lammy expressed his appreciation for HH The Amir’s visit, noting the deep, close, and very important friendship between the two sides.
“Qatar is one of UK’s most significant trading partners in the Middle East. It’s a critical partner in defense, and of course, it’s a world leader in global mediation, working with the UK on key foreign policy challenges,” said the British Foreign Secretary.
Lammy added that the UK-Qatar defense and security cooperation is a fundamental and important pillar of the strategic relationship, pointing out that the joint operations that occurred between the two countries months ago are central to security across the Middle East.
He expressed his pride that the Qatar Amiri Air Force and the Royal Air Force are working hand in hand in a joint typhoon squadron based at RAF Coningsby, noting that it’s the first UK joint air squadron since the Second World War.
“None of us want to see a regional war or escalation. Qatar has a strategic role to play in many key policy areas that dominate the international agenda today, including mediation to stop the war in the region,” he said.
“We’ve seen this in the Middle East in Gaza most recently, but also importantly Afghanistan. Qatar is also playing a role in Ukraine, and in Venezuela. Qatar has this immense ability to mediate. It’s one of their unique selling points in terms of foreign policy,” he added.
He pointed out that the UK had deep ties across the Gulf and the region, with enduring partnerships on security and prosperity.
“The Gulf matters hugely to us, and Qatar is a very important pillar of that panoply of relationships. For us, deepening our mutually beneficial trade partnerships across the Gulf is a priority. We’re working towards a GCC free trade area, and we’re very grateful for Qatar’s support in driving that forward,” he said.
Lammy said the UK was looking forward to increasing joint action with Qatar on international and humanitarian issues, particularly humanitarian and developmental aid. He said relations between the two countries would see further partnerships, especially in the fields of climate and clean energy.
UK’s Secretary of State for Defence John Healey said the two countries enjoyed strong and enduring friendly relations.
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