LONDON (Reuters) – British international minister Liz Truss will journey to Saudi Arabia and Qatar this week, in search of to additional the case for a commerce take care of Gulf nations and deepen diplomatic ties.
Truss, previously Britain’s commerce minister, will meet her Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Qatar’s Emir Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani through the go to, the international workplace stated.
Earlier this month Britain took the primary steps in direction of beginning commerce negotiations with the Gulf Cooperation Council which incorporates each Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
Since shifting to the international workplace in a reshuffle final month, Truss has tried to extra intently align Britain’s financial and buying and selling ambitions with its diplomatic, defence and safety agenda – in search of to maximise the nation’s world affect following its exit from the European Union.
“I desire a nearer buying and selling and funding relationship with the Gulf and for us to collaborate extra intently on points like intelligence sharing, growth, safety and defence,” Truss stated.
She may even focus on cooperation on Afghanistan with Qatar, which has been internet hosting speaking between the Taliban and Western officers since Taliban forces took management of Kabul.
(Reporting by William James; modifying by Costas Pitas)
