The UK is set to strengthen ties with key partners in the Gulf as
the Foreign Secretary travels to Oman and Qatar to unlock new
opportunities and push the need for greater security and
stability in the region.
The Foreign Secretary's first visit to Oman will act as an
opportunity for the Foreign Secretary to discuss the recent US -
Iran talks held in Oman. Alongside international partners we are
clear that Iran must never develop a nuclear which threatens
international peace and security. We remain committed to seeking
a negotiated solution to the issue and will use all diplomatic
levers to make this happen.
He will discuss UK-Omani joint work on wider regional security,
including the Israel-Gaza conflict and Houthi threats to
international shipping in the Red Sea, a vital trade route for UK
exports to the rest of the world with over a $1 trillion worth of
global goods passing through each year.
In Qatar, the Foreign Secretary will build on the Government's
commitment to boosting the economy by overseeing the UK-Qatar
Strategic Dialogue, a key forum which has assisted in fuelling
previous investment into the UK in priority growth sectors
including energy, real-estate and defence. This partnership
follows recent multi-billion-pound agreements between both
countries supporting leading UK firms such as Rolls Royce and BAE
helping deliver on the Government's growth mission.
Foreign Secretary, said:
“The UK's relationship with the Gulf continues to go from
strength to strength. Our partnerships are unlocking huge
investment opportunities in the UK and creating jobs in the
industries of the future which is at the very heart of
our Plan for Change.
“But boosting growth is reliant on building
stability. It's vital we engage closely with partners like
Qatar and Oman to strengthen security in the region, this
includes countering Iran's malign activity in the region and
bringing the war in Gaza to end.”
The Foreign Secretary will also discuss progress on the Free
Trade Agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which
could increase bilateral trade by up to 16%, adding an extra £8.6
billion a year to trade between the UK and GCC countries in the
long run, as well as supporting job creation across Britain.
As the impact of the devastating conflict in Gaza continues to be
felt across the region, the Foreign Secretary will use his
visit to highlight that more bloodshed is in no-one's interest,
and the need for all parties in the conflict to return to a
ceasefire. In meetings with counterparts, he will stress the need
to build lasting peace in the region which is vital for security
and prosperity in the Gulf and at home in the UK.
The visit to Qatar will also be an opportunity to further
cooperation on defence and security matters. This includes
discussing the close partnership between the RAF and Qatar Amiri
Joint Squadron which helps train the next generation of pilots
who will patrol the skies and maintain UK security interests in
the Middle East.
