Qatar, UK launch 'strategic dialogue' to boost cooperation in several fields

Qatar and the United Kingdom on Monday agreed to further enhance cooperation in several fields as they launched the Qatar-UK Strategic Dialogue in London.

The two states agreed to continue bilateral cooperation in the fields of defence and security, energy, regional security, trade and investments, humanitarian and development aid, human rights, science and innovation, health, and education, according to a joint statement.

The Inaugural Strategic Dialogue between the State of Qatar and the United Kingdom

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— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Qatar (@MofaQatar_EN) February 21, 2023

The ministers who met from both sides "affirmed that the Qatar-UK relationship has maintained a positive trajectory and committed to further strengthening" this partnership, the statement said.

It added that the ministers agreed to review progress through the Strategic Dialogue at least once a year.

They also discussed the 2022 FIFA World Cup hosted by Qatar late last year, as Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Sheikh Al-Thani thanked the UK for helping prepare for the global sporting tournament by providing security assistance.

It was the first time an Arab country hosted the FIFA World Cup, which saw Argentina come out victorious.

On Palestine and Israel, both sides reaffirmed their support for a two-state solution based on 1967 borders with Jerusalem as a shared capital. They also renewed their support for the status quo governing holy sites in Jerusalem.

Jordan's sovereign is the custodian of holy Christian and Muslim sites. Tensions have brewed over Israel’s new hard-line government’s insistence to allow Jewish prayers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, and after Israeli settlers stormed the site several times.

Qatar does not share ties with Israel, unlike Gulf neighbours Bahrain and the UAE.

The two sides also discussed other pressing matters around the world, including the Iran nuclear deal and the war in Ukraine.