Doha/ 6 May 2014/ The Diplomatic Institute organized on Tuesday a seminar on the Qatari-British ties in which HE British Ambassador to Doha Nicholas Houghton addressed the audience in the presence of a group of Foreign Ministry trainees and staff. At the outset of the seminar, the British ambassador noted that it was his first visit to the Diplomatic Institute since assuming his post in July 2013, saying that he was pleased to be addressing professionals in his field. He spoke of the half-a-century old ties between the two countries, referring back to when British vessels docked in the Gulf in order to trade while on their way to or from India. In 2010, Houghton said, the British government decided to boost ties with Qatar, noting that his country is trying to build a true partnership with Doha. He added that the rapprochement between Qatar and the United Kingdom is based on shared history and culture.