The UK Minister for the Middle East, , has highlighted the significance of the UK-Gulf
partnership on his first official visit to Oman and Qatar since
he took up the post.
The UK and Gulf states are working in partnership to tackle
coronavirus and save lives, Middle East Minister said following a visit to the region.
During his three day visit to Qatar and Oman, the Minister
championed the UK’s strong and historic ties between the
respective Governments as well as their leadership in preventing
the spread of the deadly disease.
The Minister set out the UK’s high ambition to grow our trade and
investment with the Gulf, already our third largest trading
partner outside the EU.
At a meeting with His Excellency Qais Al-Yousef, Minister of
Trade for Oman, the Minister set out the UK’s high ambition to
grow our trade and investment with the Gulf, already our third
largest trading partner outside the EU.
In Qatar, he also visited the Education City Stadium for the Fifa
World Cup 2022, offering the UK’s full support to ensuring a safe
tournament for fans travelling from all around the world.
Minister for the Middle East, , said:
“The UK and the Gulf are working in partnership to stop the
spread of coronavirus and save lives, demonstrating our strongest
ever UK-Gulf ties.
“On my visit to Oman and Qatar, I have seen the true strength of
the bilateral relationships between our great countries. From
co-operation on security, to strengthening our trade links, to
sharing our unique development expertise, our ties are helping to
improve our mutual prosperity.”
In Muscat, Minister Cleverly met Houthi representative Mohammed
Abdul Salam. He urged the Houthis to work constructively with UN
Special Envoy to Yemen, Martin Griffiths, and agree to his peace
proposals to end the conflict and alleviate the suffering of
those in need.
He also raised concerns about restrictions in northern
Houthi-controlled areas which are preventing aid from reaching
millions of those most in need and called for safe, rapid, and
unhindered access for aid workers and supplies, particularly
given the risk of famine this year.
The Minister also met His Excellency Akbar Al Baker, the CEO of
Qatar Airways, to discuss new regional routes into the UK, which
are helping to drive economic growth in the UK beyond London.
