The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the
State of Qatar, His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman
Al-Thani, and the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth
and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom and Northern
Ireland, the Rt Hon MP, launched the first
annual Qatar-UK Strategic Dialogue in London on 20 February 2023,
in celebration of the robust and expanding bilateral
relationship.
The Ministers reviewed areas of collaboration between the two
countries. They affirmed that the Qatar-UK relationship has
maintained a positive trajectory and committed to further
strengthening the Qatar-UK partnership. They agreed to continue
progress on areas of ongoing and regular collaboration through
official level engagements, including on defence and security,
energy, regional security, trade and investment, humanitarian and
development assistance, the human rights agenda, science and
innovation, health and education. To underline this, Qatar and
the United Kingdom signed an MoU to launch the Strategic
Dialogue, a new platform to deepen cooperation. Both Ministers
agreed to review progress through the Strategic Dialogue at least
once a year.
The Ministers discussed the State of Qatar’s recent successful
hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the first to be held in the
Arab world. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs
Sheikh Al-Thani thanked the UK for its security partnership in
preparation for and during the tournament. The United Kingdom is
committed to building on this cooperation and supporting the
State of Qatar as it seeks to sustain a positive tournament
legacy, encompassing the areas of sports economy, tourism, and
labour reforms.
Qatar and the United Kingdom share a vital and flourishing trade
and investment partnership, with a total trade volume of over
£12.1 billion in the past year, contributing to supporting jobs,
innovation and economic development in both countries. Qatari
investment in the UK was further boosted through the signing of
the Qatar-UK Strategic Investment Partnership during the visit to
London of HH the Amir in May 2022. Both sides welcomed the
progress made under the Joint Economic and Trade Committee
(JETCO), including closer partnership between the UK’s Department
for Business and Trade and Qatar’s Investment Promotion Agency.
The Ministers welcomed the continuing positive dialogue between
Rolls-Royce and the Qatar Foundation on their proposed strategic
technology partnership. They noted their respective governments’
support for this climate technology venture and the potential
impact this partnership will have in both countries as well as
more widely across the world.
Both Ministers discussed opportunities for shared prosperity
through investment in sectors aligned with mutual priorities,
including clean technologies, life sciences, biotech, agri-tech
and EVs/battery technology, which will be advanced under the
established Qatar-UK Strategic Investment Partnership. Both sides
also discussed cooperation in the creative economy field and look
forward to the signing of an MoU in the near future.
The leaders welcomed the ongoing collaboration on energy security
and renewable energy under the inaugural Qatar- UK Energy
Dialogue that was held in May 2022.
Both sides reaffirmed the importance of the security and defence
partnership and discussed ongoing activities that are vital to
addressing both regional and global threats. The Ministers also
recognized the positive potential of further discussion on future
Typhoon partnership and cooperation on counterterrorism. In their
discussions, the two sides underlined the commitment of the State
of Qatar and the United Kingdom to continue cooperation in
tackling shared global challenges together.
The two Ministers reiterated their respective countries’
commitment to the sovereignty of Ukraine. In addressing Iran,
they emphasised dialogue and diplomacy as the only route to
regional security and stability. On humanitarian crises,
political transition, and natural disaster responses in
Afghanistan, Turkiye, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Libya and the Horn of
Africa, both sides outlined their ongoing commitments to
distressed and vulnerable populations, including refugees, IDPs,
women and girls.
Assessing developments in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the
two Ministers reaffirmed their support for a Two-State Solution,
based on 1967 lines and with Jerusalem as the shared capital, as
the only way to ensure a just and lasting peace. Qatar and the UK
strongly support the historic Status Quo governing holy sites in
the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including Jerusalem.
Qatar and the UK will continue their partnership in promoting
global conflict resolution efforts. The UK welcomed Qatar’s
commendable mediation in Chad, Rwanda, DR Congo, and Afghanistan,
as well as in Iran and with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Qatar recognised the role of the UK, notably in conflict
prevention and peacebuilding in the Horn of Africa and Libya, and
for upholding the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan.
The United Kingdom remains committed to introducing the new
Electronic Travel Authorisation visa system starting in 2023, of
which Qatar will be an early participant, facilitating business
and tourism travel for Qatari visitors to the UK.
The State of Qatar and the United Kingdom look forward to
concluding the Strategic Dialogue Sessions and reviewing their
progress at the next Strategic Dialogue, planned for Doha in
2024.
