UK Minister: Our Partnership with Qatar Is Strong, We Are Grateful for Its Role in Afghanistan

Doha, September 15 (QNA) - HE Lord Tariq Ahmad, the Minister of State for South Asian and the Commonwealth Affairs at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, affirmed the strong partnership between the United Kingdom and the State of Qatar in all fields. In a special interview with Qatar News Agency (QNA), His Excellency said that Qatar and the United Kingdom are very strong partners in a range of different initiatives, and their relations have strengthened further following the developments in Afghanistan. He noted that his current visit to Doha aims at extending thanks to the State of Qatar and the Qatari people for hosting a large number of people who were evacuated from Afghanistan in such an effective way, noting that he had met some of them in Qatar and it was encouraging to see the real investment in trying to establish a normal life for them. HE Lord Ahmad said that his visit to Qatar was encouraging because it showed the generosity of the people and the Qatari government, stressing the importance of uniting together to face various challenges, adding that he felt very grateful from what he saw in Qatar towards the evacuees from Afghanistan, including the children, and that a huge effort has been made here. HE Lord Tariq Ahmad hailed the crucial role carried out by the State of Qatar in Afghanistan and its hosting of the Afghan peace talks. He said that the United Kingdom appreciates all of this, and expressed its confidence that Qatar's important role in Afghanistan will continue, especially in light of the critical situation that is developing there. HE noted that his talks in Qatar also touched on some concerns related to the danger of a decline in the role of women in Afghanistan, expressing his hope that the United Kingdom and the State of Qatar will work on this file together. He said that it is possible to be a Muslim and adhere to all the principles of religion, while at the same time respecting diversity and the rights of minorities, referring to the positive role that Muslim women have played since the days of Prophet Mohammad, which shows that women perform a pivotal role in the progress of any society, and that every Islamic society is a witness to that. In this regard, he referred to a resolution passed in the UN Security Council at the initiative of the United Kingdom in partnership with France, which included concerns regarding the rise of the Taliban to power. Among those concerns are providing guarantees that people who wish to leave Afghanistan can do so through a safe passage and that human rights are guaranteed inside Afghanistan, while ensuring the delivery of humanitarian aid as well. In addition to the political role, Qatar had a humanitarian role and provided humanitarian aid to the Afghan people, HE Lord Ahmad said, praising the vital role of Qatar Airways in this regard. HE said that the first plane that landed at Kabul International Airport belonged to Qatar Airways, adding: "we are very grateful for the role of the Qatari national carrier in repatriating British nationals during the COVID-19 crisis when the world went into a complete lockdown." HE Lord Tariq Ahmad, the Minister of State for South Asian and the Commonwealth Affairs at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office underlined that the State of Qatar deserves to be commended for successfully operating Kabul International Airport, which gives hope to those who are still in Afghanistan, including British nationals. (QNA)