Starmer to push for stronger ties with UAE, Saudi Arabia in first Gulf visit

LONDON: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will begin a multi-day visit to the Gulf late on Sunday, his first trip to the region since taking office, seeking stronger economic and defence ties with the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

He will aim to boost investment and deepen defence and security partnerships, the government said in a statement on Sunday, describing the two Middle Eastern countries as “some of the UK’s most vital modern-day partners.”

Starmer, elected to lead the world’s sixth-largest economy in July, will arrive in the UAE on Sunday, where he is due to hold talks with President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Monday. He will fly to Saudi Arabia later on Monday to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Stability in the Middle East is expected to be “high up the agenda” during the visit, including the pressing need for a ceasefire between Israel and Gaza, the release of all hostages, and the urgent acceleration of aid into Gaza, the statement added.

“There is huge untapped potential in this region,” said Starmer, who is aiming to secure investment from wealthy Gulf states to help fund his mission to rebuild Britain’s ageing infrastructure and shift to cleaner energy.

“I will be making the case to accelerate progress on the Gulf Cooperation Council Free Trade Agreement, deepen our research and development collaboration and partner on projects of the future,” he added in the statement.