1 week Ago By Qatar Tribune
Qatar tribune QNA Doha Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani has announced the signing of a Letter of Intent (LoI) for cooperation between the State of Qatar and the United Kingdom in the field of peace, reconciliation, and conflict resolution, within the framework of the Qatari-British Joint Strategic Dialogue. At a joint press conference with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy on Sunday, the PM said the letter of intent signed by the two sides would enhance technical cooperation between the two countries in developing capabilities in these areas and support international efforts to achieve peace. The PM explained that the first joint development working group held its work to build on joint bilateral efforts to address humanitarian and global health challenges, and to create joint development initiatives, in light of doubling the joint financing initiative for development cooperation to $100 million.
He stressed that work will be done to explore joint programmes for the highest priority countries, including, but not limited to: the Gaza Strip, Sudan, Syria, Yemen, Somalia, and Bangladesh. “Since the first strategic dialogue, the Qatari-British partnership has witnessed intensive efforts to deepen cooperation at various levels. The visit of the Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to London last December represented a historic milestone in the history of relations between the two friendly countries, during which we affirmed our commitment to deepening the strong historical bilateral partnership between the two countries,” the PM said.
He stressed that the launch of the second strategic dialogue, titled ‘Partners Towards the Future’, represents another milestone in advancing the partnership between the State of Qatar and the UK. He also called for continued strengthening of cooperation in various fields, including the economy, trade, investment, defense, security, and cooperation in the fight against terrorism. He pointed out that the strategic dialogue has resulted in eight joint working groups working to develop practical steps towards achieving the shared aspirations of the two countries.
These include the launch of a working group in the field of technology, science, and innovation, and a working group in the field of health. This indicates the prospects available for advancing current cooperation between the State of Qatar and the United Kingdom in the fields of modern technology, artificial intelligence, and future opportunities, including their role in supporting healthcare applications and health data. “A prosperous future is a slogan we all stand behind, and the State of Qatar and the United Kingdom are a landmark in the strategic partnership in the fields of economy, trade, and investment in a vibrant and prosperous manner,” he added.
The PM noted that joint efforts have emphasized the importance of expanding cooperation, particularly in the fields of education, culture, heritage, sports, health, research, innovation, and genomics. He explained that Qatari-British partnerships have become more important than ever in light of the major risks and ongoing escalation that threaten international security. The PM spoke about Qatari investments in the United Kingdom, stating that Qatar invests more than 40 billion pounds in the British economy, which benefits the Qatari sovereign fund and creates opportunities for growth and prosperity in the United Kingdom, ensuring the future of future generations in the State of Qatar.
He noted that the volume of trade exchange between the two countries reached 1.6 billion pounds sterling in 2024. The PM affirmed that the State of Qatar continues to play a pivotal role among major global investors in the United Kingdom, as it is the first partner of the leading British partnerships.
He considered the United Kingdom one of the most important investment partners of the State of Qatar, in light of its proven track record of successes in key investment areas. He stated that Qatari investments in the United Kingdom have contributed to supporting the growth of the British economy and its projects, increasing job opportunities, innovation, and economic development in both friendly countries, particularly in the fields of science, technology, sustainability, climate change adaptation, and digital development. He emphasized that this partnership is a strong sign of the shared commitment to creating prosperity and a bright future for the two friendly peoples.
In a related context, the PM spoke about the distinguished relationship between the friendly Qatari and British peoples, embodied by the thousands of Qatari students receiving their education in British schools, colleges, and universities, while tens of thousands of members of the British community reside in Qatar. On the other hand, the PM warned of the escalation of the ongoing Israeli aggression against the occupied Palestinian territories and the Gaza Strip, indicating that the region is facing greater dangers than ever before. He warned of the dangers of politicizing humanitarian aid, targeting humanitarian workers, and using hunger as a form of collective punishment, as this places the entire region on the brink of collapse.
For his part, David Lammy described his country’s relationship with Qatar as long-standing and strong, based on the foundations of friendship and mutual respect. He emphasized the importance of the Qatari-British strategic dialogue, while also reviewing areas of joint cooperation between the State of Qatar and the United Kingdom, which include science, innovation, development, mediation, health, and education, in the interests of both countries and their friendly peoples. He pointed out that the Qatari-UK strategic dialogue is vital and fruitful, and that the partnership between the two countries is built on a shared ambition and will contribute to creating job opportunities and increasing growth and investment in both countries.
He said, “This partnership reflects our shared desire for Britain to remain a stable investment destination and a growing economy, and it also contributes to enhancing security in our region.” He pointed out that Qatar and Britain enjoy a long-standing and solid partnership, one of the strongest between the two peoples. He explained that tourism from the United Kingdom to Qatar has witnessed remarkable growth, particularly during the World Cup.
Conversely, the number of Qataris visiting London and the United Kingdom has been steadily increasing, particularly during July and August. Copy 28/04/2025 10.
