'Qatar key player on global, Middle Eastern stages'

The Director of the Council for Arab-British Understanding, Chris Doyle, has emphasised the significance of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani's visit to the United Kingdom, highlighting the deep bilateral relations and Qatar's prominent role in efforts to resolve conflicts in the Middle East, in addition to the importance of Qatari investments and their pivotal role in supporting the British economy.Doyle said in a statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA), that the visit is a terrific moment to cement the strategic relationship between Qatar and the United Kingdom, as they share close ties in all fields, including economic, military, and cultural relations, in addition to their long-standing relationship.He added that Qatar is a key player on the global and Middle Eastern stage, with significant interests in the United Kingdom, and vice versa, which reinforces bilateral relations and supports mutual co-operation.Regarding the strategic dialogue between the two countries on issues such as defence and energy, the Director of the Council for Arab-British Understanding emphasized the importance of collaborating with the Kingdom's partners in the Middle East, including Qatar. He pointed out that Europe now heavily relies on importing energy from Qatar, including gas that reaches the United Kingdom via South Wales.He also noted that there are many other issues that require participation in this dialogue, including the future of the Middle East, which is part of these issues. He mentioned that over the past fourteen months, the situation has deteriorated into tragedies, atrocities, and significant tensions, which should be a cause of concern and attention for everyone.Doyle praised Qatar's key role in resolving conflicts in the Middle East, particularly in its mediation efforts to achieve a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and end the war, noting that mediation is challenging in the context of the intense tensions, killings, and severe suffering experienced in the region.He pointed out that the failure to reach a ceasefire, which everyone had hoped to see, is due to the parties themselves, as well as some key international actors who failed to exert pressure on Israel to fulfill its responsibilities under international law, and to ensure that aid reaches the millions of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip who are facing death by hunger, disease, and bombing.The Director of the Council for Arab-British Understanding emphasized the importance of Qatari investments and their significant role in supporting the British economy, noting that foreign direct investment is a key part of the United Kingdom's economy.He explained that the United Kingdom remains an attractive destination for foreign direct investment due to the stability of its economy, which is particularly important in light of the global instability, expressing hope that investment partnerships will be mutually beneficial, both for the investor and the host country.He highlighted the warm welcome for Qatari investments in the United Kingdom, expressing hope for an increase in these investments and for strengthening the strategic relations between the two countries in ways that serve their common interests.Doyle also mentioned the educational program of the Council for Arab-British Understanding, which aims to raise awareness among the new generations in the UK about the Arab world, its culture, and its people, explaining that the program includes organizing field trips for schools and workshops for children to provide a comprehensive and positive image of the region.Doyle praised the role of Qatar Foundation in supporting this program, emphasizing the importance of the partnership between the two sides. He also mentioned that part of the efforts focuses on encouraging the study of the Arabic language, expressing his pride in collaborating with institutions that contribute to achieving this goal.