Britain’s post-Brexit foreign policy agenda offers “great potential” for stronger ties with Gulf states, particularly on defence, security and antiterrorism co-operation, according to a report.
As the UK ventures further afield to spread its influence following its exit from the EU in January 2020, it is now “more likely to look to capitalise on its relations with the Gulf states”, researchers believe.
It comes just a week after Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, visited the UK to launch a new era in ties between Britain and the UAE.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson hosted Sheikh Mohamed at 10 Downing Street in central London for a wide-ranging discussion and to officially kick-start the Partnership for the Future.
Sheikh Mohamed said he looked forward to another half century of close relations with the UK.
The findings were laid out in a report released by UK in a Changing Europe, a British-based think tank, and Kings College London School of Security Studies.
The document, which explores potential directions the UK may take as it seeks to cement its post-Brexit status on the global stage, suggested members of the GCC could stand to benefit.
The partnership which consists of the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia was founded in 1981.
“Security offers a potential avenue for closer links in the region,” the report says.
“Although still heavily engaged in European security matters, Global Britain will need to expand its horizons and identify potential partners beyond the EU,” it adds.
“It stands to reason that, owing to its commercial, political and military relations with the GCC, the UK may tap further into this goodwill and continue to work with the GCC as a robust, reliable partner.”
The report said the UK could look to Gulf nations to increase co-operation on defence, security and antiterrorism efforts, saying there was “great potential” for ties to be strengthened in these areas.
The document also says that while America’s influence in the region is unlikely to wane any time soon – and Britain would not be able to replace it if it did – there is "certainly room to expand UK security and defence activity in the region”.
The creation of a deepwater port suitable for UK aircraft carriers at Duqm, Oman, in an Omani-British project, was cited as an example of how both parties stand to benefit from security engagement.
The report adds: “Although still heavily engaged in European security matters, Global Britain will need to expand its horizons and identify potential partners beyond the EU.
“It stands to reason that, owing to its commercial, political and military relations with the GCC, the UK may tap further into this goodwill and continue to work with the GCC as a robust, reliable partner.”
Researchers also said Brexit had opened the door for potential free trade agreements between Britain and its Gulf allies.
“The ability to pursue free trade agreements with countries where the EU has a limited or no relationship has long been proclaimed as one of the principal benefits to the UK of Brexit,” the report said.
“It was swift to seal deals with Japan and Australia. The Gulf countries are another prominent potential FTA-partner.
“Security offers a potential avenue for closer links in the region.”
However, the wording of the UK’s post-Brexit slogan was questioned by the report’s authors.
They concluded that the term Global Britain risked giving off “imperialistic undertones” which may not sit well for GCC member states.
Dr David Roberts, senior lecture, School of Security Studies, King’s College London, said: “Whatever the government wants Global Britain to mean, it is clear that its foreign policy agenda will only be a success if it understands and addresses the diverse and at times conflicting interests of other states in a rapidly evolving world.”
Last week, the UK’s new Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said Global Britain was planting its flag on the world stage.
Ahead of her meetings with her international counterparts at the UN General Assembly in New York, Ms Truss said Global Britain was about “going out into the world in a positive and confident spirit to tackle the major challenges of our age alongside our friends and allies”.
“I want us to project this vision to the world and ensure that everyone in Britain knows that our best days lie ahead,” she added.
She said the Cop26 climate change summit due to take place in Glasgow next month would be an important part of the Global Britain agenda.
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Series result
1st ODI Zimbabwe won by 6 wickets
2nd ODI Sri Lanka won by 7 wickets
3rd ODI Sri Lanka won by 8 wickets
4th ODI Zimbabwe won by 4 wickets
5th ODI Zimbabwe won by 3 wickets
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
New UK refugee system
- A new “core protection” for refugees moving from permanent to a more basic, temporary protection
- Shortened leave to remain - refugees will receive 30 months instead of five years
- A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
- To encourage refugees to integrate the government will encourage them to out of the core protection route wherever possible.
- Under core protection there will be no automatic right to family reunion
- Refugees will have a reduced right to public funds
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Greatest Royal Rumble match listing
50-man Royal Rumble - names entered so far include Braun Strowman, Daniel Bryan, Kurt Angle, Big Show, Kane, Chris Jericho, The New Day and Elias
Universal Championship Brock Lesnar (champion) v Roman Reigns in a steel cage match
WWE World Heavyweight ChampionshipAJ Styles (champion) v Shinsuke Nakamura
Intercontinental Championship Seth Rollins (champion) v The Miz v Finn Balor v Samoa Joe
United States Championship Jeff Hardy (champion) v Jinder Mahal
SmackDown Tag Team Championship The Bludgeon Brothers (champions) v The Usos
Raw Tag Team Championship (currently vacant) Cesaro and Sheamus v Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt
Casket match The Undertaker v Rusev
Singles match John Cena v Triple H
Cruiserweight Championship Cedric Alexander v Kalisto
Tell Me Who I Am
Director: Ed Perkins
Stars: Alex and Marcus Lewis
Four stars
Four-day collections of TOH
Day Indian Rs (Dh)
Thursday 500.75 million (25.23m)
Friday 280.25m (14.12m)
Saturday 220.75m (11.21m)
Sunday 170.25m (8.58m)
Total 1.19bn (59.15m)
(Figures in millions, approximate)
How to donate
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
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2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor Cricket World Cup - Sept 16-20, Insportz, Dubai
16 Indoor cricket matches are 16 overs per side
8 There are eight players per team
9 There have been nine Indoor Cricket World Cups for men. Australia have won every one.
5 Five runs are deducted from the score when a wickets falls
4 Batsmen bat in pairs, facing four overs per partnership
Scoring In indoor cricket, runs are scored by way of both physical and bonus runs. Physical runs are scored by both batsmen completing a run from one crease to the other. Bonus runs are scored when the ball hits a net in different zones, but only when at least one physical run is score.
Zones
A Front net, behind the striker and wicketkeeper: 0 runs
B Side nets, between the striker and halfway down the pitch: 1 run
C Side nets between halfway and the bowlers end: 2 runs
D Back net: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full
The specs: 2018 Maxus T60
Price, base / as tested: Dh48,000
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The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
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The Settlers
Director: Louis Theroux
Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz
Rating: 5/5
SPECS
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The Pope's itinerary
Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial
Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport
