British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's first visit to the Middle East reflects the UK's priorities and views on cooperation with the region.
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| Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Riyadh, December 9. (Source: Saudi Gazette) |
From December 8-10, Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia and the final stop was Cyprus - marking the first official visit by a British Prime Minister to the island nation in 53 years.
Economy is the focus
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the top priority during his visit was to strengthen relations, especially economic ones, with the countries. A statement from No. 10 Downing Street said London wanted to increase trade with the Middle East by 16% in the coming time.
In addition, the country is pushing ahead with negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) with the Association of Gulf States (GCC), the UK’s seventh-largest export market. “Economic growth is my top priority… and to deliver that, we need new deals, new investment from around the world, with Saudi Arabia and the UAE being key partners,” Prime Minister Starmer said. The UK’s trade with the UAE and Saudi Arabia is currently worth $29 billion and $17 billion, respectively.
In that context, Mr Starmer’s visit will aim to further increase these figures. Meeting with host President Sheikh Mohamed in Abu Dhabi on December 8, the British Prime Minister emphasized: “The UAE is an important strategic partner for London… The reason I am here is to create opportunities to develop that partnership, whether in trade, investment, security, defence, energy or artificial intelligence.”
Similarly, when meeting Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on December 9 in Riyadh, he stressed the relationship “based on the values of trust and friendship”. This politician hopes that the Middle Eastern country will further promote growth and create jobs in the UK.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the recent bilateral agreement has created more than 4,000 jobs in the UK. During the visit, he also met with leaders of Saudi Arabia's economic ministries and major businesses, including Trade Minister Majid al Kassabi.
In particular, the British company Graphene Innovations Manchester (GIM), which specializes in developing new technologies and materials, said that within the framework of the $500 billion Neom mega-project, Saudi Arabia will invest $318 million in a research and development center in Manchester, expected to create 1,000 jobs. Previously, the British energy company Carbon Clean signed an agreement with Saudi Aramco to cooperate in developing carbon capture technology. That is not to mention the new defense agreement between the two countries, expected to bring the total export turnover of British arms to Saudi Arabia far beyond the current $4.84 billion.
Meanwhile, a press release from Cyprus highlighted the historic significance of the first visit by a British Prime Minister to the country in more than half a century. On December 10 in Lefkosia, President Nikos Christodoulides and his British guest discussed the upcoming second strategic dialogue, as well as bilateral cooperation in the fields of security, defense, economy, trade and investment, education and culture.
Concerns are always present
But it is worth remembering that Mr Starmer's visit comes at a time when the Middle East is witnessing many complex developments, from the Israel-Hamas conflict, the Houthi movement in the Red Sea and, most recently, the change of government in Syria. This situation has had a significant impact on the flow of UK-Middle East trade. The British Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that the Israel-Gaza conflict negatively affected 50% of British businesses. At the same time, instability in the Middle East has pushed the cost of transporting goods up fourfold, and even eightfold, in just one year.
In that context, a press release before the visit stated that London affirmed that "stability in the Middle East is particularly important to strengthen the security foundation (in the UK)" and said it would provide $14.01 million in humanitarian aid to Syria.
Throughout his trip to the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Cyprus, Mr. Keir Starmer also clearly expressed his stance on hot issues in the region. Regarding Gaza, he highly appreciated Saudi Arabia's stance on finding a solution to end the conflict and increasing humanitarian aid to the region. The British Prime Minister also expressed his support for a change of government in Syria, hoping for a sustainable political agreement, eliminating violence and terrorism, and aiming to protect civilians. Notably, he affirmed that he would help Cyprus prevent the flow of Russian money through this Mediterranean country to avoid sanctions from the US and the West.
However, not all of Mr. Starmer’s moves have been “smooth sailing.” The British Prime Minister’s visit to Riyadh and meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has come under considerable public pressure. In 2022, he criticized his predecessor Boris Johnson for meeting with bin Salman, despite some information about Riyadh’s role in the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
He also faced pressure from home, calling on the UAE to release businessman Ryan Cornelius, who has been held in Dubai for more than 16 years on charges of defrauding $471.6 million, despite denials from the British government and the United Nations.
His visit to Cyprus also generated a lot of headlines. Prime Minister Starmer refused to meet Ersin Tatar, the leader of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), a territory that broke away from the Republic of Cyprus 50 years ago and is not recognized by many countries. The TRNC was harshly criticized, saying that this move did not contribute positively to resolving the current situation. Meanwhile, Mr. Rikki Williams, co-founder of the group “Freedom and Justice for Northern Cyprus”, called on the British Prime Minister to “talk to both sides, not just one side”.
After all, Mr Starmer's visit to the Middle East and Cyprus reflected his priority on economic cooperation and views on hot issues, promoting the interests and influence of the foggy country in the region.
Source: https://baoquocte.vn/thu-tuong-anh-toi-trung-dong-va-cyprus-chuyen-tham-mo-duong-297098.html
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