Minister for the Middle East visits the UAE and Qatar

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. Boris Johnson 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.