Qatar's Emir And UK's Starmer Talk Trade

Starmer hails partnership with Qatar as he welcomes Emir to Downing Street
Sir Keir Starmer has welcomed the Emir of Qatar to Downing Street, amid pressure to raise the Gulf state’s human rights record with its leader.The meeting comes at the end of a two-day state visit to Britain by Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and coincides with the announcement of a £1 billion clean energy partnership between Qatar and the UK.Welcoming the Emir to Number 10 on Wednesday, the Prime Minister praised the “strong partnership” between the two countries, saying there was “so much more that we can do together…alongside the investment that we’re able to announce today”.He also thanked the Emir for his “vital role” in the Middle East, where Qatar has acted as a mediator since the October 2023 attacks on Israel.The Emir thanked the King for his hospitality and said he would discuss with the Prime Minister “how to go forward and how to put an end to this crisis” in the Middle East.As well as discussing trade and investment, Sir Keir used the meeting to raise the issue of Emily Damari, the only British hostage in Gaza, and was expected to mention broader human rights concerns with the Gulf state.While leader of the opposition, Sir Keir said he would not attend the football World Cup in Qatar because of the country’s human rights record.But he did visit Qatar in December 2023, meeting the Emir in Doha as he returned from the Cop28 climate summit in Abu Dhabi.Asked whether he would be raising human rights concerns with the Emir on Wednesday, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “The PM is clear that where we have concerns with partners like Qatar, we will always raise them.”The £1 billion commitment announced on Wednesday includes investment in technology programmes operated by Rolls-Royce, as well as start-ups in the UK and Qatar focused on energy efficiency, carbon management and green power.Originally announced in 2021, the partnership with Rolls-Royce is expected to see the creation of thousands of jobs at “climate technology hubs” across the UK and Qatar.The Emir attended a banquet with the King and senior members of the royal family on Tuesday, and visited the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, which he attended as an officer cadet in the 1990s.
No.10 has denied that Keir Starmer ever pledged to boycott Qatar - even though he refused to visit the country when it hosted ...
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Qatar's emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, pledged to deepen their investment relationship during a meeting on the final day of a Qatari state visit to ...
The ruling Emir will meet Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for talks at Downing Street before his departure. Qatar – one of the richest Gulf states – is a key mediator in the Israel-Hamas war.
Sir Keir Starmer flew in a private jet paid for by Qatar to visit the country's leader last month, according to parliamentary records. The Labour leader made a return trip to the kingdom whilst ...
Sir Keir Starmer is on his feet in the House of Commons, where he is facing off with Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch. Ms Badenoch will ask her usual six questions, before the floor opens to ...
Doha, Qatar: The Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani received a phone call today from the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Keir Starmer. During the call, they discussed the ...
Qatar and the UK have announced a massive partnership on climate technologies as Qatar’s emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad ...
The Princess of Wales has continued her gradual return to work by joining husband Prince William to welcome the Emir of Qatar ...