Qatar 2022 a golden opportunity to alter impressions about Middle East: UK envoy

The UK supports the efforts of Qatar in making the World Cup a grand success

AMBASSADOR of the United Kingdom to the State of Qatar HE John Wilkes has stressed that the United Kingdom supports the efforts of Qatar in making the World Cup a grand success.

“The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 is a golden opportunity to alter impressions about the Middle East, bridge the cultural gap with the West, and build new bridges to introduce the world to Arab and Islamic culture,” the UK ambassador said during a press conference held at the embassy’s headquarters in Doha.

The envoy said the UK and Qatar have great relations in many fields including security, culture, and business.

“British companies are here in Doha working with the tournament organisers to make the World Cup a grand success. Our sport police is working with Qataris hand by hand, to support a full security for the tournament,” the ambassador added.

The envoy reiterated that UK and Qatar have joint cooperation in many sectors, especially in the World Cup.

“We have tourism, events, and business companies here in Qatar, they are contributing to the success of the World Cup,” he added.

The ambassador stated that the UK embassy, along with the British Council, is working on many cultural events during the World Cup.

“We welcome everyone to Rowdha garden on the Corniche, we will have great events,” he added.

The envoy mentioned that the British Council will hold the UK Cultural Festival in the period between November 21 and 28.

On the smear campaigns by the European media against Qatar, the ambassador said, “We take these news seriously. We are dealing with it, but as a response to them people need to come and visit Qatar, and have a closer look at everything here.”

“We have specific cooperation with Qatar regarding the labor, human rights reforms, and making more efforts in order to have a great result,” the ambassador added.

The ambassador continued, “We advise everyone to come and visit Qatar, don’t judge it from far away. Qatar has taken good steps in this regard, and is ready to make more progress, so nothing deserves all the boycott campaigns”.

Regarding the United Kingdom’s participation in the World Cup, the ambassador said, “I am a fan of Wales, and I think England and Wales had done very hard work to deserve to be at the World Cup. I wish them well.”

On the UK fans prohibited from being in the World Cup, the ambassador said, “As all countries and as all football lovers, we have fans who are aggressive because they love their teams, but we are not worse than many other countries.”

The ambassador said, “We encourage dealing with World Cup fans quietly. We don’t encourage violence while dealing with them. We have good cooperation. Lectures were given to the UK and Qatar tournament security forces.”

He added, “This edition of the World Cup should be excellent with no problems.”