LONDON 

Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani met Wednesday with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London as part of a two-day state visit to Britain. 

On the second day of his visit, he was hosted by Starmer in Downing Street, where they discussed bilateral ties between their two countries.

Starmer welcomed a significant milestone in the UK and Qatar's new clean energy partnership and an initial £1 billion ($1.27 billion) commitment made by Qatar.

Earlier Wednesday, the UK government announced that Qatar will invest £1 billion in climate technology in Britain as part of a landmark clean energy partnership between London and Doha.

The new partnership is expected to create thousands of highly skilled jobs across the UK and in Qatar over its lifetime and the investment in UK climate technology will also accelerate the development of climate-friendly technologies.

During the meeting in Downing Street, the two leaders agreed that the countries’ thriving investment relationship would continue to grow and deliver significant benefits for both nations.

"Turning to defense, the Prime Minister reflected on the UK’s close cooperation with Qatar, and the leaders discussed their ambition to go further to strengthen their unique partnership," a UK government statement said.

Starmer also commended Qatar’s leadership in mediation in the Middle East, including their role in securing the release of hostages from Gaza.

Earlier, the Qatari emir paid a visit to the Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst, Berkshire as he began the second day of his two-day state visit.

During his visit to Sandhurst, accompanied by British Defense Secretary John Healey, the two countries signed a new defense partnership.

The agreements signed include extending and expanding collaboration and knowledge sharing across the joint UK-Qatar Typhoon and Hawk aircraft squadrons, according to a statement from the Ministry of Defense.

"Our joint Typhoon and Hawk squadrons and training Qatari cadets in the UK underlines our shared commitment and cooperation to global security and stability," said Healey.

Al Thani also attended a UK state banquet with King Charles III.​​​​ Charles welcomed the Emir and praised Qatar’s mediation efforts in the Middle East.

"In the most desperate of circumstances, Qatar’s continued toil, perseverance and diplomatic efforts are quite simply invaluable," he said.

On Tuesday, King Charles welcomed Al Thani and his first wife, Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad Al Thani, during a grand ceremony in Whitehall, London.

​​​​​​​The welcoming ceremony was also attended by the Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Kate.