July 26, 2023
1 min read

Cleverley kicks off Middle East tour

The scheme will make visiting the UK more affordable and accessible for Gulf and Jordanian travelers…reports Asian Lite News

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly began a three-day tour to the Middle East on Tuesday to boost ties with the region, Jordan News Agency reported.

The trip — to Qatar, Kuwait and Jordan — comes after the UK government announced that citizens of Gulf countries and Jordan will benefit from a new electronic travel authorization visa scheme.

The scheme will make visiting the UK more affordable and accessible for Gulf and Jordanian travelers.

All three countries are also significant energy, defense, and security partners for the UK, and trade and investment with the Gulf are critical to supporting Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s ambitions for economic growth, according to a statement from the British Embassy in Amman.

The statement added that UK trade with Qatar and Kuwait was worth £18.1 billion ($23.2 billion) in 2022.

Cleverly will meet his Jordanian counterpart Ayman Safadi in Amman on Tuesday and will announce up to £1.5 million in funding to support Jordan’s projects for women and girls.

Safadi will also meet UNHCR and World Food Programme representatives, where he will announce £30 million in financing over three years to provide cash aid and support to Jordan’s poorest refugees. This would provide basic food and living necessities to an about 70,000 refugees in camps and host communities each year.

“The UK’s mutually beneficial relationships with the Gulf and Jordan continue to thrive,” said Cleverly.

The foreign minister expressed pride in UK-Jordanian collaboration on common goals, such as strengthening commercial ties and security “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,” he added.

Cleverly will also meet Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani on Tuesday in Doha and later head to Kuwait to meet Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

ALSO READ: Zelensky sacks Ukrainian envoy to UK  

Previous Story

ISA regional meet advances vision of solar-powered future

Next Story

UK Govt opens ballot for Young Professional visa scheme for Indians

Latest from -Top News

Pakistan’s Shadow War in Balochistan

At least 50 killed by Pakistan-backed death squads in Balochistan in April, says HRCB — toll expected to rise in May….reports Asian Lite News The Human Rights Council of Balochistan (HRCB) reported

Russia, Ukraine Resume Talks

The upcoming talks follow a significant hiatus in diplomatic engagement between the two nations, which have been locked in a brutal conflict since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 Russia and

UN Pays Tribute to Indian Soldiers

Thursday was observed as the 77th UN Peacekeepers Day, honouring the work of 61,353 peacekeepers, of whom 5,375 hailed from India….reports Asian Lite News Brigadier Amitabh Jha and Havildar Sanjay Singh, who

Modi’s New Warfare Playbook

Modi has upended the old playbook and India and Pakistan are entering dangerous new territory where nuclear deterrence is no longer a guarantee against conventional conflict…writes Collins Chong Yew Keat The India-Pakistan
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Record 26 Indian-Origin MPs Enter UK Parliament

Apart from Rishi Sunak, 25 other Indian-origin MPs — including

Govt green lights self-driving cars on UK roads

The government said automated lane-keeping systems (ALKS) would be the