Minister for the Middle East and North Africa completes tour of the Gulf

2 Sep 2019 12:38 PM

Dr Andrew Murrison, the UK’s Minister for the Middle East and North Africa and Minister of State for International Development, has completed a tour of the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Oman.

Dr Murrison met with the Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi and Yemeni Deputy Foreign Minister Mohammed Abdullah al-Hadhrami, where he stressed the UK’s full commitment to the UN-led political process and to supporting the tireless efforts of UN Special Envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths.

He also highlighted the role of UK aid’s £200 million commitment to the UN humanitarian response this year, which is helping to feed one million Yemenis every month, treat 30,000 children for malnutrition, and provide one million people in Yemen with improved water supply and basic sanitation.

During his trip, the Minister also met with senior regional political figures including the UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation, Reem al Hashimy; the Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Adel al Jubeir; and Omani Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sayyid al Badr, with whom he discussed the international response to the crisis in Yemen.

The minister also held talks on important bilateral issues on which the UK works closely with the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Oman, including Saudi Vision 2030 security, defence and human rights.

The Minister for the Middle East and North Africa Dr Andrew Murrison yesterday said:

I was very pleased to have had the opportunity to meet with the Yemeni president and deputy foreign minister along with other partners in the region to discuss our shared commitment to bringing the conflict in Yemen to a peaceful conclusion.

During my programme, I took the opportunity reiterate the UK’s commitment to deliver food, medicines and other essential aid to those who are in dire need.

We are resolute in our support for the work of UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths. A political solution is the only way to bring this dreadful conflict to an end and we call for all parties to come to the negotiating table.

Notes:

• In the UAE, Dr Murrison observed the construction progress of the UK pavilion at the Expo 2020 site.
• In Saudi Arabia, the minister hosted a roundtable discussion with young Saudis on Saudi modernisation, and welcomed the new ruling that allowed women to travel unaccompanied and without permission from their guardian.
• In Oman, Dr Murrison also held talks on the UK and Oman’s joint aims to promote mutual prosperity and economic development, and pressing issues on the minds of British businesses.