Raab: Saudi Arabia Plays Important Role in Keeping Britain Safe

Gulf

March 5th, 7:30am

Riyadh - Abdulhadi Habtor

FILE PHOTO: Secretary of State for Foreign affairs Dominic Raab is seen outside Downing Street in London, Britain, February 14, 2020. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has said that Saudi Arabia is one of UK’s closest trade partners, looking forward to work closely with it to confront world challenges and resolve the crisis in Yemen. Ahead of his first official visit to Riyadh on Wednesday, Raab said: “Saudi Arabia is one of our closest trade partners and plays an important role in keeping Britain safe.” “As a valued partner, we have to work closely together to tackle the crisis in Yemen, terrorism and climate change as well as pursuing reform and engaging on human rights issues,” he added in a statement released by the British foreign ministry. The statement said that during his two-day visit, Raab will hold talks with the Saudi leadership and senior government officials including Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and National Security Adviser Dr. Musaad Al Aiban, in Riyadh. They will discuss the commitment to resolving the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, security and regional stability, and ways of combating the threat posed by climate change, it said. “The Foreign Secretary will continue to drive progress on the Yemen peace process, following the recent surge in Houthi violence and constraints on getting humanitarian aid to those in need,” said the ministry. Raab will also hold talks with Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Hadi during his visit. “The visit is also an opportunity to cooperate on an ambitious climate agenda ahead of climate summit COP 26 and during Saudi’s Presidency of the G20 this year. It comes as the UK steps up its efforts to combat climate change, diversify our economy and protect the planet,” said the statement. “During his two-day trip to the country, the Foreign Secretary will also be shown around Ad Diriyah, the historic capital of the first Saudi state which has been transformed into a UNESCO World Heritage site as part of a restoration project involving British companies and expertise,” it added.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/2163916/raab-saudi-arabia-plays-important-role-keeping-britain-safe