PRESS RELEASE : Foreign Secretary travels to Middle East to build mutually beneficial ties [July 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 25 July 2023.

James Cleverly is on a 3-day visit to Qatar, Kuwait, and Jordan, which will emphasise the UK’s growing partnership with the region.

• James Cleverly to begin 3-day visit to Qatar, Kuwait and Jordan today (July 25)
• Foreign Secretary will emphasise the UK’s growing partnership with the region – with Gulf countries and Jordan set to benefit from the UK’s new visa travel scheme
• he will also announce funding to support women and girls and to help the most vulnerable refugees in Jordan

The Foreign Secretary will travel to the Middle East today (Tuesday 25 July) on a 3-day tour to emphasise the UK’s growing, mutually-beneficial partnerships with the region.

The visit, which will include Qatar, Kuwait and Jordan, comes after the government recently announced that citizens from Gulf countries and Jordan will benefit from the UK’s new Electronic Travel Authorisation visa scheme, which will make travel to the UK cheaper and easier for visitors.

All 3 countries are also important energy, defence and security partners for the UK, and trade and investment with the Gulf is vital to support the Prime Minister’s priorities to grow the economy. UK trade with Qatar and Kuwait was worth £18.1 billion last year alone.

In Jordan, the Foreign Secretary will announce up to £1.5 million to support initiatives for women and girls. The funding will go towards civil society organisations.

He will also meet with representatives from UNHCR (the UN’s refugee agency) and the World Food Programme where he will announce funding of £30 million over 3 years to provide cash assistance and support to the poorest refugees. This will cover their basic food and living needs – reaching an estimated 70,000 refugees per year in the camps and host communities.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said:

I am delighted to be back in the Middle East. The UK’s mutually beneficial relationships with the Gulf and Jordan continue to thrive. We have a bright future together.

From working together on shared goals like developing stronger trade ties and security, I am proud of how we are collaborating for the benefit of us all.

The UK also remains committed to supporting refugees and host communities, collaborating with our partners to help the most vulnerable in the region.

In Qatar today, the Foreign Secretary will meet with the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.

He will then travel to Kuwait to meet His Highness the Crown Prince, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, and explore opportunities to strengthen cooperation.

In Jordan on Thursday, he will meet with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Safadi.