British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is leaving for a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. According to a statement from the Prime Minister's Office, this is Starmer's first visit to the Gulf region.
„There is a lot of potential in this region that is under-utilized,”, Starmer said ahead of his visit starting on December 8. “I will emphasize the need for rapid progress on the free trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council, deepening our scientific and technological cooperation and implementing partnership projects in the future,” he added.
Among other things, London relies on investment from the Gulf countries in UK-led energy and infrastructure projects. The UK's annual trade turnover with the UAE now stands at $29.5 billion and with Saudi Arabia at $21.7 billion.
During meetings with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud and UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Starmer also plans to discuss the situation in the Gaza Strip and the Middle East as a whole. The British Prime Minister will visit Cyprus on December 10 and meet with its President Nikos Christodoulides.