Extracts from Commons statement on the Integrated Review - Mar 16
Wednesday, 17 March 2021 08:42
Dr Liam Fox (North Somerset) (Con): I very much welcome this
integrated review, although I think there will be challenges in
re-engineering Whitehall for this common purpose. How does my right
hon. Friend assess the threat from Iran to the Gulf region and the
UK’s strategic interests? What does he believe the opportunities
are for increased peace and prosperity as a result of the signing
of the Abraham accords between Israel the United Arab Emirates and
Bahrain? The Prime Minister: I thank...Request free trial
(North
Somerset) (Con): I very much welcome this integrated review,
although I think there will be challenges in re-engineering
Whitehall for this common purpose. How does my right hon. Friend
assess the threat from Iran to the Gulf region and
the UK’s strategic interests? What does he believe the
opportunities are for increased peace and prosperity as a result of
the signing of the Abraham accords between Israel the United Arab Emirates and
Bahrain?
The Prime Minister: I thank my right hon. Friend, who knows whereof
he speaks and has done much to advance the cause of peace in the
middle east. It was an unexpected breakthrough for many in the
foreign policy establishment to see the Abraham accords, and I
think a significant and positive step forward. As for
Iran, I must tell him—I am sure he knows—that we
remain extremely concerned by Iran’s influence and
disruptive behaviour in the region. In particular, of course, we
are concerned by the risk of Iran developing a
viable nuclear weapon. That is why we think it right that
Iran should be in compliance with the
joint comprehensive plan of action not just for
the benefit of the region, but for the benefit and security of the
people of Iran.
(Harlow) (Con) [V]: The late and respected
American Senator John McCain said in a 2008 speech:
“We have to strengthen our global alliances as the core of a
new global compact—a League of Democracies—that can harness the
vast influence of the more than 100 democratic nations around the
world to advance our values and defend our shared
interests.”
Can my right hon. Friend’s welcome vision, set out today, be
aligned with smaller nations around the world such as Kurdistan, in
northern Iraq, and Israel which are vanguards of
religious pluralism, democracy, a free society, the rule of law and
security against terrorism? Can Great Britain lead a new alliance
of democracies around the world, as proposed by the late Senator
John McCain?
The Prime Minister: Yes. Our commitment to
Israeli security is unwavering, and we continue to
work closely with our partners in the Kurdish region of Iraq.
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