Inaugural Strategic Dialogue between Qatar and the United Kingdom: Joint Statement

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar and Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Commonwealth and Development of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, The Right Honorable James Wise, in London on February 20, 2023, to celebrate the strong and expanding bilateral relationship between Qatar and the United Launched the first annual strategic dialogue between the Kingdom.

The Ministers reviewed the areas of cooperation between the two countries. They affirmed that relations between Qatar and the United Kingdom are maintaining a positive trajectory and pledged to strengthen the partnership between Qatar and the United Kingdom. They agreed to pursue progress in areas of continuous and regular cooperation through official engagements including defense and security, energy, regional security, trade and investment, humanitarian and development assistance, human rights agenda, science and innovation, health and education. To underline this, Qatar and the United Kingdom signed a Memorandum of Understanding, a new platform for launching strategic dialogue. The two ministers agreed to review the progress made within the framework of the strategic dialogue at least once a year.

The Ministers discussed the recent successful hosting by the Government of Qatar of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the first ever at the Arab level. Sheikh Al-Thani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, thanked the United Kingdom for its defense partnership in preparation for and during the competition. The United Kingdom is committed to building on this cooperation and supports the Government of Qatar in its efforts to preserve the positive legacy of the competition, which includes areas such as the sports economy, tourism and labor reforms.

Qatar and the United Kingdom share a vibrant and thriving trade and investment partnership, with total trade exceeding £12.1 billion last year, supporting jobs, innovation and economic growth in both countries. Qatari investment in the UK was further boosted by the signing of a strategic investment partnership agreement between Qatar and the UK during the Emir’s visit to London in May 2022. Both sides welcomed the progress made under the Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO). including a close partnership between the UK Department of Business and Trade and the Qatar Investment Promotion Agency. Ministers welcomed the continued positive dialogue between Rolls-Royce and Qatar Foundation regarding their proposed strategic technology partnership. They noted their governments’ support for this climate technology project and the potential impact of this partnership in both countries and around the world.

The two ministers discussed opportunities for joint prosperity through investments in line with common priorities including clean technology, life sciences, biotechnology, agricultural technology, electric vehicle/battery technology. A partnership was established between the State of Qatar. and the United Kingdom. The two sides also discussed cooperation in the field of creative economy and look forward to signing a memorandum of understanding in the near future.

The leaders welcomed continued cooperation in the field of energy security and renewable energy as part of the first Qatar-UK Energy Dialogue in May 2022.

Both sides reaffirmed the importance of defense and security partnership and discussed current and key measures to counter regional and global threats. The Ministers also recognized positive possibilities for further discussions on partnership and future cooperation on cyclones in the fight against terrorism. During the talks, both sides reaffirmed the commitment of Qatar and the United Kingdom to continue cooperation to jointly address common global challenges.

Both ministers affirmed that their countries respect Ukraine’s sovereignty. Addressing Iran, they affirmed that dialogue and diplomacy are the only way forward for regional security and stability. In the context of humanitarian crises, political transition and natural disasters in Afghanistan, Turkey, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Libya and the Horn of Africa, both sides reaffirmed their continued commitment to suffering and vulnerable populations, including refugees and internally displaced people. , women and girls.

Assessing the evolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the two ministers reaffirmed their support for a two-state solution based on the 1967 lines and with Jerusalem as the shared capital as the only way to ensure a just and lasting peace. Qatar and the United Kingdom strongly support the historic position of governing holy sites in the occupied Palestinian territories, including Jerusalem.

Qatar and the United Kingdom will continue their partnership in advancing global conflict resolution efforts. The UK has praised Qatar’s commendable mediation in Chad, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Afghanistan, Iran and the Israel-Palestine conflict. Qatar acknowledged the UK’s role in protecting the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan, including preventing conflict and building peace in Africa and Libya.

The UK is committed to introducing a new electronic travel visa regime from 2023 and Qatar will be one of the first countries to take part, making it easier for Qatari visitors to Britain to travel for business and tourism.

The Government of Qatar and the United Kingdom look forward to concluding the Strategic Dialogue sessions in Doha in 2024 and reviewing progress in the next Strategic Dialogue.