HH the Amir’s UK Visit Marks New Phase in Qatari-British Relations.

London: The Qatari newspapers highlighted in their editorials on Thursday the state visit of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to the United Kingdom. They expressed confidence that this visit marks the beginning of a new phase in the growing Qatari-British partnership, particularly given the grand royal reception and the media attention it received. According to Qatar News Agency, the newspapers emphasized the significance of this visit, which comes at a time when the world is facing unprecedented challenges, necessitating international cooperation to ensure global stability, prosperity, and sustainable growth. Under the title "Qatar and the UK: Decades of Cooperation," Al-Raya newspaper noted that the state visit of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to the United Kingdom culminated decades of cooperation, historical partnership, and exceptional diplomatic relations between the two allied countries. In this context, Al-Raya highlighted the discussion session held by HH the Amir with the UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, during which the two sides explored bilateral relations and ways to support and strengthen them. They also discussed opportunities available to both countries across various fields, particularly in the areas of economy, investment, education, and defense. Additionally, a number of regional and international issues of mutual interest were addressed, focusing on developments in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories. Al-Raya concluded by saying that the two friendly countries enjoy distinguished trade relations, with trade exchange reaching a value of $10.6 billion last year. Trade with Qatar accounts for approximately 14% of the United Kingdom's total trade with GCC countries. With its substantial investments, Qatar serves as a cornerstone in supporting the British economy, as Qatari companies have invested more than 100 billion in the UK economy and continue to inject billions of dollars annually into the tourism sector to achieve mutual benefits for the two friendl y peoples. Under the title "Qatar and the UK: More Flourishing Strategic Partnership," Al-Sharq newspaper said that the official discussions held by HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani with the UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer focused on ways to support and enhance bilateral relations, as well as leveraging opportunities available to both countries across all levels, particularly in the fields of economy, investment, education, and defense. This session represented a turning point in the trajectory of the strategic partnership, taking it to unprecedented new heights. The newspaper considered the discussions an opportunity to address regional and international issues of mutual concern, particularly the developments in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories, with both countries agreeing on the importance of a two-state solution through the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state, seeing it as the path to real peace and the desired prosperity. At the end of its editorial, Al-Sharq poin ted out the significant attention HH the Amir's visit received from British media outlets, which highlights the prominent position Qatar has achieved on the global stage through its notable presence and vital roles both economically and politically.