UK foreign minister to seek stronger links with Saudi Arabia and Oman

Dominic Raab will meet with senior officials in both countries on first trip to Gulf

Britain's Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab made his first visit to the Gulf. AFP 

British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab is set to make his first official visit to the Gulf, meeting with senior politicians in Oman and Saudi Arabia.

Mr Raab will hold talks with the Sultan Haitham, the new ruler of Oman, and Foreign Minister Yusuf bin Alawi.

In Saudi Arabia, he will meet the country’s leaders, including the Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan.

The Foreign Office said the UK wanted stronger partnerships with Saudi Arabia and Oman in trade, security and tackling challenges such as climate change and Yemen.

It said Mr Raab would meet Yemeni President Abdrabu Mansur Hadi in Riyadh to try to re-energise diplomatic efforts to bring peace to Yemen.

“The Gulf is important to UK security but it's also a region of enormous opportunity," Mr Raab said. "Both Oman and Saudi Arabia want to grow in sectors such as health, education and culture, where the UK leads the world."

The visit comes on the day the UK begins official talks with the EU on a future trading relationship, after the British exit from the bloc this year.

Mr Raab said he would talk to officials in the kingdom about the “strong UK-Saudi trade partnership”.

The Saudi presidency of the G20 and the coming climate summit Cop26, to be hosted by Britain, are also expected to be discussed.