UK PM Sunak Visits Persian Gulf to Strengthen UAE and Saudi Ties | WPN World People News

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who took office in July, will make his first visit to the Persian Gulf region on the 9th, aiming to strengthen economic and defense cooperation with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia.

According to a Reuters report, a UK government statement on the 8th highlighted Starmer's objective to enhance investment and deepen defense and security partnerships. The statement described the two Middle Eastern nations as among "the most important partners for the UK today."

Starmer's Gulf tour is scheduled to begin today with his arrival in the UAE, where he will hold talks with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Later in the day, he will travel to Saudi Arabia to meet with Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman.

The government statement also emphasized that "key issues" for the visit include Middle East stability, particularly the urgent need for a ceasefire between Israel and Gaza, the release of all hostages, and expedited humanitarian aid to Gaza. Starmer remarked that the Gulf region holds significant untapped potential. His goal is to attract investments from the wealthy Gulf nations to help rebuild the UK's aging infrastructure and advance its clean energy transition mission.

Starmer also stated his commitment to pushing forward the Gulf Cooperation Council Free Trade Agreement, strengthening bilateral research and development collaborations, and exploring future partnership plans. The UK government views the UAE and Saudi Arabia as major investment sources, with trade between the UK and UAE valued at £23 billion (approximately NT$950 billion) and trade with Saudi Arabia estimated at £17 billion (approximately NT$702.1 billion), reflecting the considerable financial flows between these nations.