Qatar–United Kingdom relations

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Qatar–United Kingdom relations
Map indicating locations of Qatar and United Kingdom

Qatar
United Kingdom

Qatar – United Kingdom relations are the

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
, covering a wide range of issues and activities of mutual interest.

History

In 1868,

British government’s recognition of Qatar as an independent sovereign state.[1]

The Ottomans officially renounced sovereignty over Qatar in 1913. The new ruler Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani signed a treaty with Britain in 1916, thereby instating the area under the trucial system. This meant that Qatar relinquished its autonomy in foreign affairs, such as the power to cede territory, and other affairs, in exchange for Britain's military protection from external threats.[2]

Initially, the British were reluctant to involve themselves in inland affairs. However, when oil was discovered in the area in the 1930s, the race for oil concessions intensified. In 1938, the Anglo-Persian Oil Company began drilling its first well in Dukhan and a year later, the well-struck oil.[3]

In June 2023, the UK announced Qatari citizens will no longer have to apply for a visa to enter the UK, but will be able to obtain an online ETA permit for £10, starting in October 2023.[4][5]

In July 2023, the UK’s Foreign Secretary James Cleverly visited Doha and held talks with Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.[6][7] They discussed regional issues and closer cooperation on security, defense and economy.[8]

Diplomatic representation

Bilateral relations between the two countries have expanded since the opening of the

UK ambassador to Qatar is Neerav Patel
.

Qatar has had an embassy in London since 1970, based in Mayfair. The current Qatari ambassador to the UK is Fahad Mohammed Al-Attiyah.[11]

Diplomatic visits

Foreign secretary William Hague and foreign minister Khalid Al Attiyah in London in 2013.

UK Prime Minister David Cameron visited Qatar in 2011, and the then Emir of Qatar made a 3-day state visit in October 2010.[12]

The current Emir of Qatar made a state visit to the UK in October 2014.[13]

In March 2013,

the Duchess of Cornwall, arrived in Qatar for a state visit.[14]

On 20 September 2019, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson hosted Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani at the Downing Street.[15] Johnson pressed over the fact that the UK’s relation with Qatar is going from “strength to strength”.[16]

On 24 May 2022, Sheikh Tamin met with Prime Minister Boris Johnson to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the UK-Qatar bilateral relations in London.[17]

In early May 2023, Sheikh Tamim was invited to the coronation of King Charles III.[18] During the visit, Sheikh Tamin met with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, discussing the war in Ukraine, the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and furthering the strategic relations between the countries.[19][20][21][22]

Diplomatic cooperation

Military

During

ISIS in Iraq and Syria.[24][25] It has also hosted RAF Boeing RC-135 reconnaissance aircraft in support of this operation.[26]

The UK and Qatar signed a Defence Cooperation Agreement in November 2014.[27]

In February 2014, the Royal Navy warship HMS Monmouth hosted NATO delegates in the port of Doha in Qatar.[28]

Qatari cadets attend the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst each year, and the current Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, is a Sandhurst graduate.[29]

British military also provide officer training to Qatari forces in Qatar.[30]

In 2018, the two countries' air forces formed a joint squadron of

QEAF and RAF, the joint Hawk training squadron is an integral component in increasing interoperability and coordination between both air forces, leading to closer cooperation and alignment in future military and peacekeeping efforts.”[35]

Business and investment

British Chamber of Commerce in Doha (housed in the headquarters of HSBC). Trade and investment between UK and Qatar currently stands at £5 billion per year. The UK is the fourth largest exporter to Qatar.[37]

In March 2013, Qatar and the UK began talks to invest up to £10 billion from Qatar into key

Sainsbury’s and Harrods.[38]

Additionally, the Qatar British

Business Forum, established in 1992, is a membership organization with over 500 British companies based in Qatar.[39]

British-Dutch oil firm

Royal Dutch Shell is the second biggest investor in Qatar after ExxonMobil and has stakes in some of Qatar’s LNG production plants, known as trains.[40]

On 19 October 2021, during UK Global Investment Summit, Qatar Energy and Royal Dutch Shell signed an agreement to work together on UK's blue and green hydrogen projects in order to promote decarbonization and help in achieving the UK's target of net-zero carbon emissions.[41]

The UK government has turned to Qatar to seek a long-term gas deal to ensure a stable supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to the UK.[42] Prime Minister Boris Johnson asked the current Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, for help during a meeting at the UN General Assembly in September 2021.[43][44]

In May 2022, the UK and Qatar signed a Strategic Investment Partnership. Qatar pledged to invest up to £10 billion in the UK economy in order to create jobs and to further economic growth.[45][46]

In 2022, the UK and Qatar shared a trade volume of over £12.1 billion.[47]

On 20 February 2023, the Qatari Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and the British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly held the first annual Strategic Dialogue in London.[48][49]

Trade Agreements

The UK and the Gulf Cooperation Council, of which Qatar is a member, opened up negotiations for a free trade agreement.[50]

As of the 19 February 2024, six rounds of negotiations have been concluded for the Gulf Cooperation Council–United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement.[51]

Educational ties

The Qatar Foundation plays an important part in facilitating educational and academic connections; the foundation sponsors Qatari students studying at UK universities, and University College London (UCL) is represented at the Qatar Foundation by UCL Qatar, a branch campus partner of Hamad bin Khalifa University. On a recent official visit to Qatar, the UK’s Minister for Universities and Science, Dr David Willetts MP, spent much time at the foundation, where he highlighted the depth and importance of collaboration between UK institutions and Qatar Foundation.[52]

There are also amicable links between the Centre for Gulf Studies at

Cambridge University.[53]

In partnership with the University of Ulster, offers UK accredited courses and programs within Qatar and is licensed by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education. This partnership allowed Qatari and resident students to complete educational programs and obtain UK accredited qualifications without leaving their country of residence.[54]

Science, technology and medicine

In 2013, the UK set up the UK Science and Innovation Network (SIN) in the Gulf, based in Doha, to support science and innovation partnering in the six countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council. This is in line with Qatar’s plans to spend 2.8% of its national budget annually on research and to invest heavily in infrastructure and programmes to build a knowledge economy.[55]

Some of the two countries’ collaborations in these fields include:

Additionally, Williams F1 was based at the Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP) for several years and the two organisations worked on a number of initiatives, including the promotion of road safety campaigns in Qatar.[57]

Sport

UK Prime Minister David Cameron pledged the UK's support and previous experience from hosting international sporting events to Qatar and its 2022 FIFA World Cup project at a meeting with the Emir of Qatar in October 2014.[58]

Qatar's winning bid was advised by Mike Lee and his communications agency Vero, the same figures behind both London and Rio de Janeiro’s winning Olympics bids in 2012 and 2016 respectively.[59]

Major UK-based construction and architecture firms have won major contracts to prepare Qatar for the 2022 event.

Arup Associates was also tasked with designing a new carbon-efficient stadium.[62]

Sheffield F.C., the UK's oldest football club, announced that Qatar had invested £100,000 in the club in September 2015.[63]

Arts and culture

In 2013, Qatar and the UK instigated the Qatar-UK Year of Culture, a year-long programme of cultural exchange between the two countries. In partnership with the

Qatar Museums Authority, numerous art exhibitions were launched including one of the biggest Damien Hirst exhibitions to date in Doha between October 2013 and January 2014.[64]

The British Council has been involved in Qatar since 1972, working in arts, education and social programmes.[65]

In November 2021, the British Council started supporting young activists globally to implement projects that will help tackle climate change challenges to create a greener, more sustainable world.The Qatar Environment Champions programme supports Qatar’s National Vision 2030 to confront the challenges posed by climate change.This programme is funded by the FCDO Gulf Strategy Fund and delivered in partnership with the British Council Qatar.[66]

References

  1. ^ Karen Stapley (13 January 2014). "A PORTRAIT OF SIR LEWIS PELLY". Qatar Digital Library / British Library.
  2. ^ Toth, Anthony (1993). Qatar: Historical Background, A Country Study. Library of Congress Federal Research Division.
  3. ^ Rasoul Sorkhabi (2010). "The Qatar Oil Discoveries". Geo Expro.
  4. ^ "ETA: Everything we know so far about the UK's new entry permit scheme". euronews. 12 June 2023. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  5. ^ "UK's Jordan visa waiver shows deepening ties between kingdoms". Middle East Eye. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  6. ^ "British foreign secretary arrives in Qatar Tuesday". Gulf Times. 25 July 2023. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
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  8. ^ Qarjouli, Asmahan (26 July 2023). "'Historic partnership': Qatar and UK vow closer cooperation in economy, defence". Doha News. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  9. ^ ICIJ (5 June 2000). "Maritime Delimitation and Territorial Questions between Qatar and Bahrain" (PDF). International Court of Justice, The Hague.
  10. ^ "British Embassy Doha: Policy". British Embassy Doha.
  11. ^ "Qatar Embassy in London - United Kingdom". london.embassy.qa. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  12. ^ Ian Black (25 October 2010). "Queen rolls out red carpet for emir of Qatar's state visit". The Guardian.
  13. ^ William James (30 October 2014). "PM Cameron appeals to Qatar emir for more investment". Reuters.
  14. ^ "Prince Charles and Camilla begin visit to Qatar". Gulf Times. 14 March 2013.
  15. ^ "UK PM Johnson and Emir of Qatar discuss Aramco attacks in London meeting". Reuters. 20 September 2019. Retrieved 20 September 2019.
  16. ^ "UK-Qatar relationship going 'from strength to strength'". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 20 September 2019.
  17. ^ "Qatar, UK strengthen historic partnership". Gulf Times. 25 May 2022. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  18. ^ "Amir's visit reflects strength of Qatar-UK relations: Envoy". Qatar Tribune. 7 May 2023. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  19. ^ "PM meeting with the Amir of Qatar: 5 May 2023". GOV.UK. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  20. ^ Myers, Russell (5 May 2023). "King Charles mingles with world leaders ahead of historic Coronation". mirror. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
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  23. ^ "No. 83 Expeditionary Air Group". Royal Air Force. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  24. ^ Sam Jones (2 November 2014). "UK and Qatar sign pact to combat jihadis and cyber warfare". Financial Times.
  25. ^ Ben Chapman (24 February 2015). "Structure of the RAF". Prezi.com.
  26. ^ "RAF prepares jets to strike Isis targets in Iraq". The Guardian. 23 September 2014. Retrieved 13 December 2014. An RAF Rivet Joint surveillance plane equipped with listening devices has also been flying missions from al-Udeid air base in Qatar to eavesdrop on Isis communications.
  27. ^ "UK and Qatar sign pact to combat jihadis and cyber warfare". Financial Times. 2 November 2014. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  28. ^ Naval Today staff (5 February 2013). "NATO Delegates Get First-Hand Experience of HMS Monmouth's Gulf Operations". Naval Today.
  29. ^ BBC Magazine (26 August 2014). "Sandhurst's sheikhs: Why do so many Gulf royals receive military training in the UK?". BBC.
  30. ^ Peter Kovessy (12 May 2014). "Qatar Armed Forces to spend millions on officer training". Doha News.
  31. ^ "RAF and Qatari pilots operate for the first time as a Joint Squadron in Qatar". Royal Air Force. 15 October 2020. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
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  33. ^ "Historic partnership': Qatar and UK vow closer cooperation in economy, defence". DOHA NEWS. 26 July 2023.
  34. ^ "UK and Qatar expand defence partnership". GOV.UK. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  35. ^ "Foreign Secretary travels to Middle East to build mutually beneficial ties". GOV.UK. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  36. ^ "UK Trade and Investment". British Government.
  37. ^ Denise Marray (15 January 2015). "Lord mayor of the City of London sees Qatar relationship as strong, deeply rooted". Gulf Times.
  38. ^ Jim Pickard, George Parker (13 March 2013). "Qatar lined up for £10bn UK projects fund". Financial Times.
  39. ^ Rupert Bastick (March 2015). "Best of Britain recognize enormous local potential in Qatar". The Worldfolio.
  40. ^ "TABLE-Qatar's LNG production plants". Reuters. 28 August 2011.
  41. ^ "Qatar's QE and Shell to work on UK hydrogen projects | Argus Media". www.argusmedia.com. 19 October 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
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  43. ^ "UK asks Qatar to become gas 'supplier of last resort' amid energy crisis". Doha News. 7 November 2021.
  44. ^ "UK seeks long-term gas deal with Qatar, asks to become 'supplier of last resort' -FT". Reuters. 6 November 2021.
  45. ^ "PM hails £10 billion Qatari 'vote of confidence' in the UK". GOV.UK. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  46. ^ "UK says Qatar set to invest 10 billion pounds in Britain". Reuters. 24 May 2022. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
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  48. ^ "Qatar-UK inaugural Strategic Dialogue 2023: joint communiqué". GOV.UK. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
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  56. ^ "One million rare, historical documents to go online". Gulf Times. 19 January 2015. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
  57. ^ "QSTP in Partnership with QNB and Williams F1 to Promote Road Safety". Qatar Science and Technology Park. 21 October 2010.
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  62. ^ Lori Zimmer (7 October 2012). "Arup's Zero-Carbon 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar Showcase Stadium Nominated for WAN Award". Inhabitat.com.
  63. ^ "Qataris invest in English soccer through world's oldest team". Boston Herald. 8 September 2015. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
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  65. ^ "Our work in arts, education and society". British Council, Qatar.
  66. ^ "Qatar Environment Champions: Supporting young people to create a greener, more sustainable world".

External links

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