ID :
191968
Thu, 06/30/2011 - 09:26
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/191968
The shortlink copeid
British Ambassador Praises his Country's Relations with Qatar
Doha, June 29 (QNA) - United Kingdom's Ambassador to Qatar John Hawkins has underlined the strength of friendship relations between his country and the State of Qatar, which he said were steadily growing stronger especially last year when the imports of gas from Qatar constituted a basic part of the energy mixer in the UK during the winter of last year, which was extremely cold.
Addressing a press conference held today at the Embassy premises, Hawkins said trade and investment between the two countries have continued to grow rapidly in both directions, noting that the volume of bilateral exchange of commercial goods exceeded 3 billion pounds in 2010 and increased by 90 percent in the first quarter of 2011 compared to the corresponding period in 2010.
He also expressed pleasure over the rapid increase in bilateral investments, saying the member of the Qatar-British Business Forum members grew to 400 members from 100 in 2006.
He pointed out that the United Kingdom and Qatar have been working closely together regarding many regional issues, particularly the Libyan crisis.
Ambassador Hawkins also praised the commitment of the State of Qatar to Darfur crisis and its attempt at achieving a lasting and comprehensive peace in the west Sudan region.
Responding to a question, Ambassador Hawkins referred to the coordination between the State of Qatar and the United Kingdom regarding the Middle East peace process, adding that talks with Qatar on common issues included the launch the peace process and the Palestinian cause.
He believed that despite what is happening in the region, there is a need to maintain a focus on the Palestinian problem and the launch of the peace process.
On the Palestinian side's persistence on the demand from the United Nations to recognize a Palestinian state in September, the Ambassador said we are now in July and what may happen in September can happen or cannot.
He expressed the belief that the way towards the peace process will result from the dialogue. He said the two concerned parties, namely the Palestinian Authority and the Israeli government should resume dialogue and negotiations, adding what the united Kingdom is seeking now is to try to encourage the two parties to sit for dialogue.
Addressing a press conference held today at the Embassy premises, Hawkins said trade and investment between the two countries have continued to grow rapidly in both directions, noting that the volume of bilateral exchange of commercial goods exceeded 3 billion pounds in 2010 and increased by 90 percent in the first quarter of 2011 compared to the corresponding period in 2010.
He also expressed pleasure over the rapid increase in bilateral investments, saying the member of the Qatar-British Business Forum members grew to 400 members from 100 in 2006.
He pointed out that the United Kingdom and Qatar have been working closely together regarding many regional issues, particularly the Libyan crisis.
Ambassador Hawkins also praised the commitment of the State of Qatar to Darfur crisis and its attempt at achieving a lasting and comprehensive peace in the west Sudan region.
Responding to a question, Ambassador Hawkins referred to the coordination between the State of Qatar and the United Kingdom regarding the Middle East peace process, adding that talks with Qatar on common issues included the launch the peace process and the Palestinian cause.
He believed that despite what is happening in the region, there is a need to maintain a focus on the Palestinian problem and the launch of the peace process.
On the Palestinian side's persistence on the demand from the United Nations to recognize a Palestinian state in September, the Ambassador said we are now in July and what may happen in September can happen or cannot.
He expressed the belief that the way towards the peace process will result from the dialogue. He said the two concerned parties, namely the Palestinian Authority and the Israeli government should resume dialogue and negotiations, adding what the united Kingdom is seeking now is to try to encourage the two parties to sit for dialogue.
