Speaker of British House of Commons to QNA: My Visit to Qatar Opportunity to Discuss Cooperation, Mideast Peace

HE Speaker of the House of Commons of the British Parliament Lindsay Hoyle underlined that his visit to Doha is an important opportunity to consolidate the close friendship and cooperation ties between the State of Qatar and the United Kingdom. Speaking to Qatar News Agency (QNA), His Excellency said that he had held important meeting and discussions with HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani tackled a range of key topics, most importantly the peace process in the Middle East. His Excellency added that he had held important discussions aimed at promoting bilateral cooperation and parliamentary relations with HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, and HE Speaker of the Shura Council Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim. HE the Speaker of the British House of Commons noted that the relations between the State of Qatar and the United Kingdom have developed significantly especially in the economic and political fields. He noted the importance of st rengthening relations between the Shura Council and the House of Commons through intensifying mutual visits, which contributes to building strong political ties with the new governments and new MPs. He said that his visit to Doha presents a new beginning in parliamentary relations, backed by the strong relations between the two countries; noting the importance of enhancing bilateral cooperation to achieve better mutual understanding. "It's about going forward and how much more we can do to work together to get that better understanding of each other. You know, the friendship for many years has always been there, but we can now go to a whole new level going forward and that's what's so important," he said. His Excellency also pointed out the importance of parliamentary cooperation between the two countries, and working through joint meetings between the House of Commons and the Shura Council to exchange ideas, experiences, knowledge and culture, and to build parliamentary friendship groups which could inclu de many new MPs in London to learn about the role and efforts made by Qatar to achieve peace in the world. He highlighted the distinguished and close relationship between Qatar and the United Kingdom, and the bilateral cooperation across various fields, including military, which can be built upon to enhance cooperation, both in parliamentary and trade areas. HE the Speaker of the House of Commons said that cooperation with the State of Qatar is so important strategically given the great position that Qatar enjoys throughout the Middle East, and is working to benefit from it to bring about permanent peace. He said that Qatar uses its soft power rather than political to achieve everlasting peace between Palestine and Israel, because it has the ability to bring all parities around the table and hold talks with Egypt and the United States. His Excellency also praised Qatar's position on the Russian-Ukrainian war, stressing his keenness to discuss international issues and work to achieve peace and cooperate in this regard during his visit to Doha. HE the Speaker of the British House of Commons highlighted Qatar's important role as a mediator in resolving many disputes and conflicts in the world, saying that Qatar has the ability to reach where others cannot reach, can speak to all sides, and it is the best choice to resort to in resolving crises given its influence. He recognized the role carried out by others in this regard, but said that the State of Qatar has the ability to bring all parties to the negotiating table. "We need peace quickly. Innocent people are being killed. The answer has to be everlasting peace with recognition of Palestine. The two-state solution shouldn't be a distant dream. It should be happening. We also need that recognition act with the rights of Israel and need to see the hostages released. But what we have to stop is innocent people being murdered. They are the victims of war. We need a peaceful world. Unfortunately we haven't got much peace at the moment and that's why Qatar's effort s is so important in bringing that peace around," he said. His Excellency also valued the humanitarian efforts made by Qatar in many regions of the world, saying that Qatar enjoys great trust. He noted Qatar's humanitarian role in the midst of the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, stressing that these efforts and roles are respected and appreciated, because Qatar always works to establish peace. At the end of his interview with QNA, HE Speaker of the House of Commons of the British Parliament Lindsay Hoyle reiterated the significance of the high-level meetings he had held in Doha, which aim to explore further cooperation in the fields of investment, energy and industry, as well as military. (QNA) Source: Qatar News Agency