Dubai – The UK Government Spokesperson in the Middle East and North Africa, Edwin Samuel, announced that the British Prime Minister Theresa May will attend the 37th Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit, to be hosted by the Kingdom of Bahrain on December 6-7.
In a statement issued by the Dubai-based UK Government Regional Media and Communication Office, Edwin Samuel said that Prime Minister May’s decision to make her first regional visit to GCC, and take part in the 37th GCC Summit was a strong message that the United Kingdom had not withdrawn from the world, particularly the region.
“It also proves that the UK will strengthen its relations with allies and partners,” the UK Government Spokesperson added.
May will become the first British leader and the first woman to attend the annual gathering of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). In earlier remarks on Sunday, the British PM said that the UK must seek to “transform the way we do business” with the region.
“I hope my visit will herald the start of a new chapter in relations between the United Kingdom and the Gulf — a true strategic partnership that enables us to together seize the opportunities ahead and ensure the security and prosperity of our people”, May was quoted as saying by Bloomberg.
The British PM will attend a dinner with the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman on Tuesday, and hold bilateral meetings with each leader. She will also discuss the situation in Yemen and Syria, as well as relations with Iran, her office said in an e-mailed statement.
The 37th GCC Summit will be held on Tuesday in the Bahraini capital. Arab and Gulf leaders will discuss regional and international issues, as well as joint efforts to fulfill Gulf cohesion and cooperation on the different levels.
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