Relationship with Qatar strong, strategic: UK Foreign Secretary

Doha: Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom H E Liz Truss underlined the strength of the relations between the State of Qatar and the United Kingdom, adding the two sides are looking forward to promoting and developing them to achieve their common interests and the interests of the two friendly peoples.

Speaking to Qatar News Agency (QNA), the UK Foreign Secretary said, “It’s fifty years since we established our first relations with Qatar and we have a very strong relationship. But what I want to do is move that to a new level.”

She added, “I had a very good discussions with Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani as well about how we can do that through a strategic dialogue. There are a number of areas we are very keen to intensify our cooperation, enabling education, trade; we are of course negotiating with the GCC and also with Qatar. Areas like defence and security are of course very important. So I think there are a number of areas were we can deepen our relationship to the benefit of both countries.