High-Level Joint Steering Committee Discusses Saudi-UK Defense Strategic Ties

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
TT

High-Level Joint Steering Committee Discusses Saudi-UK Defense Strategic Ties

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat

The high-level Joint Steering Committee held its meeting in London, chaired by Saudi Assistant Minister of Defense Eng. Talal Al-Otaibi and Director-General of Industry, Trade, and Economic Security of the British Defense Ministry Avril Jolliffe.

The officials reviewed the historical and strategic defense relations between Saudi Arabia and the UK. They also discussed various aspects of strategic cooperation in defense research and development, technology transfer, and localization, in line with the Saudi Vision 2030.

Al-Otaibi met with the Minister of State for Defense Procurement and Member of Parliament for South Suffolk, James Cartlidge, at the UK Defense Ministry. They explored opportunities to enhance and develop cooperation in defense and military domains.

Al-Otaibi discussed with Deputy Chief of the Defense Staff Lieutenant General Rob Magowan the collaboration in defense research and development, technology transfer, and localization in line with the Saudi Vision 2030. They also addressed several topics of mutual interest.



UAE, Syria Foreign Ministers Discuss Bolstering Ties on UAE visit

A handout photo made available by the Emirates News Agency (WAM) shows United Arab Emirates Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan (R) meeting with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani (L) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 06 January 2025. (WAM)
A handout photo made available by the Emirates News Agency (WAM) shows United Arab Emirates Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan (R) meeting with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani (L) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 06 January 2025. (WAM)
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UAE, Syria Foreign Ministers Discuss Bolstering Ties on UAE visit

A handout photo made available by the Emirates News Agency (WAM) shows United Arab Emirates Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan (R) meeting with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani (L) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 06 January 2025. (WAM)
A handout photo made available by the Emirates News Agency (WAM) shows United Arab Emirates Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan (R) meeting with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani (L) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 06 January 2025. (WAM)

UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan discussed bolstering "brotherly" ties with Syria during the first official visit by Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani to the United Arab Emirates on Monday, Emirati state news agency WAM reported.

The two ministers also discussed the overall developments in Syria since former President Bashar al-Assad was ousted by opposition factions on Dec. 8.

The UAE's foreign minister reiterated the country's support for Syria's independence and sovereignty, WAM added.

Syria's Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra, head of intelligence Anas Khattab and the UAE's minister of state for defense affairs, Mohammed Fadel al-Mazrouei, also attended the meeting.

The UAE is part of Shibani's second foreign tour, which earlier took him to Qatar and will also include a visit to Jordan. He said the visits aim to "support stability, security, economic recovery and build distinguished partnerships", according to his account on X.

Shibani made his first foreign trip to Saudi Arabia last week, where Saudi officials discussed how best to support Syria's political transition.