Saudi leader lunches with Queen as first visit opens ‘new era’
A SENIOR Foreign Office minister today hailed a new era of economic and security partnership with Saudi Arabia as modernising new leader Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman made his first official visit to the UK.
Speaking to the Standard, Alistair Burt said anti-terrorism co-operation with the Gulf state had foiled attacks in the UK and was “saving lives” and Britain also had “huge opportunities” ahead to export technology, arts, sport and university degrees.
The prince was due to lunch with the Queen at Buckingham Palace on the first day of his three-day tour. Aged just 32, he already has a reputation as a moderniser who is transforming women’s rights in his country.
Mr Burt said: “In social and economic spheres we have seen the beginnings of changes which have a profound significance for Saudi Arabia and the region: women being permitted to drive and to attend sporting matches, cinemas being reopened and, under the Crown Prince’s Vision 2030 programme, the economy diversifying and opening up. All of this offers huge opportunities for the UK. We have world-leading expertise in the sectors that are central to the Saudi plan.”
Mr Burt said university education, technology, culture and sport were all major areas where British expertise was being showcased to the Crown Prince during his visit.
However, protesters gathered outside Parliament this morning to demonstrate against Saudi military action in the Yemen civil war. Mr Burt said talks would cover humanitarian relief there, but he did not criticise Saudi policies.
“We will seize the opportunity to discuss how to bring an end to the appalling humanitarian situation in Yemen,” he said. “Saudi Arabia is interacting with its neighbours, and the world, in a way that was not possible even a few years ago.”
Labour’s shadow foreign secretary, Emily Thornberry, said Britain had to tell the Saudis to stop bombing Yemen. Theresa May is expected to raise “deep concerns” over the humanitarian crisis there during talks, her spokesman said.
It is hoped the prince’s visit could lead to Saudi investment in and through the UK of up to £100 billion.