Foreign Secretary heads to the Gulf today in a bid to boost economic and
security ties.
She touches down in Saudi Arabia this morning, where she will
meet Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Highness Prince Faisal bin
Farhan Al-Saud to discuss closer cooperation on regional
security, development, human rights and counter-terrorism, and
how the two nations can build economic links as part of the
Kingdom’s plan to diversify its economy.
Truss then flies to Qatar to meet His Highness the Amir Sheikh
Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign
Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.
Top of the agenda will be cooperation on Afghanistan and security
in the wider region. She will visit the Park View Compound, a
facility housing people who have left Afghanistan in recent
weeks.
Qatar has played a critical role in supporting safe passage for
those seeking to leave Afghanistan, including over 100 British
nationals since the UK’s evacuation operation ended in late
August.
The latest flight arrived in Doha on Monday carrying 17 British
nationals.
Truss will also launch a Strategic Dialogue with Qatar as part of
the visit, which will form the basis for deeper cooperation on
security, development, trade and investment between the two
countries.
The Foreign Secretary sees both Saudi Arabia and Qatar as
important partners in deepening the UK’s economic, technology and
security and defence ties with friends and allies around the
world.
Foreign Secretary, said:
“Closer security and economic ties with Gulf allies will help us
deliver jobs and opportunities for people back in the UK and
ensure as friends and partners that we are operating from a
position of strength in the world.
“I want a closer trading and investment relationship with the
Gulf and for us to collaborate more closely on issues like
intelligence sharing, development, security and defence.”
The UK recently fired the starting gun on a free trade deal with
the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which includes Saudi Arabia
and Qatar.
Trade with the GCC is already worth more than £30bn and a free
trade deal would boost that further by creating new opportunities
for UK exporters and closer two-way investment ties.
