Minister Cleverly arrived in Doha on 30 January for a two day
trip to the Gulf, stopping in Qatar and the UAE.
His visit reflects the importance of the UK’s relationship with
the Gulf, with Qatar and the UAE being two of the UK’s top
partners in the region. The Foreign Secretary and Minister
Cleverly met with GCC Foreign Ministers at Chevening last
December and his trip builds on several agreed outcomes on topics
such as the UK-GCC Free Trade Agreement, development
partnerships, and shared regional security priorities including
Yemen and Iran.
Minister Cleverly, met with H.E. Buthaina Al Nuaimi, Minister of
Education and Higher Education, to discuss Higher Education
Partnerships between Qatar and the UK. He also spoke with H.E.
Hassan Al Thawadi, Mr Nasser Al Khater and H.E. Maj. Gen. Al
Ansari to learn more about Qatar’s preparations ahead of the
World Cup tournament and to identify areas where UK can support
the delivery of a safe and secure environment.
Speaking to H.E. Lolwah Al Khater, Assistant Foreign Minister,
the Minister laid the groundwork for the inaugural UK-Qatar
Strategic Dialogue to further cooperation on security, trade and
investment. He visited the Qatar Fund for Development to discuss
development priorities with H.E. Khalifa Al Kuwari.
In the UAE, Minister Cleverly met with his good friend Dr Anwar
Gargash, Presidential Adviser, to drive forward discussions on
the ambitious partnership for the future which was agreed by
Prime Minister Rt. Hon. MP and the Crown Prince of
Abu Dhabi H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed.
With H.E. Ahmed Al Sayegh, Minister Cleverly discussed progress
on tackling illicit financial flows, before concluding his tour
by meeting H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign
Affairs and International Co-operation. The two discussed how the
UK can continue to support the UAE’s safety and security, and how
UK-UAE can collaborate on third country investment.
