(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Doha: The British Minister of State for Middle East and North Africa, H E James Cleverly, has thanked Qatar for its help in repatriating British nationals throughout the pandemic.
The Minister has also highlighted the significance of the UK-Qatar partnership on his first official visit to Qatar yesterday. The UK and Gulf states are working in partnership to tackle coronavirus and save lives, James Cleverly said following a visit to Oman and Qatar, said a statement.
During his visit, the Minister championed the UK's strong and historic ties between the respective governments as well as their leadership in preventing the spread of the deadly disease. The Minister set out the UK's high ambition to grow its trade and investment with the Gulf, already third largest trading partner outside the EU.
At a meeting with Minister of State for Foreign Affairs H E Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi, Minister Cleverly thanked Qatar for its help in repatriating British nationals throughout the pandemic.
Minister Cleverly also visited the Education City Stadium for the FIFA World Cup 2022, offering the UK's full support to ensuring a safe tournament for fans travelling from all around the world.
The Minister also met Group Chief Executive of Qatar Airways H E Akbar Al Baker to discuss new regional routes into the UK, which are helping to drive economic growth in the UK beyond London.
James Cleverly, said: 'The UK and the Gulf are working in partnership to stop the spread of coronavirus and save lives, demonstrating our strongest ever UK-Gulf ties.
'On my visit to Oman and Qatar, I have seen the true strength of the bilateral relationships between our great countries. From cooperation on security, to strengthening our trade links, to sharing our unique development expertise, our ties are helping to improve our mutual prosperity.
In Muscat, Minister Cleverly met Houthi representative Mohammed Abdul Salam. He urged the Houthis to work constructively with UN Special Envoy to Yemen, Martin Griffiths, and agree to his peace proposals to end the conflict and alleviate the suffering of those in need.
He also raised concerns about restrictions in northern Houthi-controlled areas which are preventing aid from reaching millions of those most in need and called for safe, rapid, and unhindered access for aid workers and supplies, particularly because of the risk of famine this year.
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