Crown Prince reenergizes Saudi-UK partnership
However, it was on substance that the visit can be safely considered a defining moment in the relationship between the two countries. The joint communique issued at the end of the historic trip detailed the parameters of the “deeper and more strategic partnership” between Saudi Arabia and Britain. To oversee this partnership, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister Theresa May inaugurated the new UK-Saudi Strategic Partnership Council, which they plan to convene annually.
The two countries have already enjoyed a close relationship lasting more than 100 years, since concluding their first formal treaty in 1915. They have long partnered on security, defense and trade, as well as on regional and international issues. On regional security, the two countries have shared a commitment to enhanced cooperation between the UK and the Gulf Cooperation Council, and the implementation of plans agreed between them in December 2016. Britain and Saudi Arabia reaffirmed all of that during the London visit.
The Crown Prince’s trip came at a critical juncture in the trajectory of Saudi-British relations, as they have embarked on two key parallel strategic projects: Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the UK’s plans after leaving the European Union in 2019. Through these two ambitious undertakings, the two countries aim to redefine themselves economically and politically and, through their newly defined partnership, they have committed to assist each other in achieving those ambitions.
Britain confirmed its strong support for Vision 2030 and Saudi Arabia’s “program for economic diversity and social reform,” which aims to transform the country into a pioneering investment power and a strategic partner in the Middle East, serving as a focal point for dialogue with the rest of the world. British support could be in the form of delivering expertise to support Saudi Arabia in these vital reforms.
The UK also welcomed Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goal of “promoting and reinvigorating social development to build a vibrant society,” including strengthening families and providing proper education for all children. The UK agreed to support Saudi Arabia’s goal of increasing the number of women and young people participating in the workforce, including in the science, technology, engineering, maths, and digital sectors. Britain also reaffirmed its support of the recent reforms and announcements empowering women.
In the past, Britain was sometimes hesitant to take robust positions on two key issues confronting the region: The spread of terrorism and extremism, and aggression and meddling by Iran and its proxies. On the former, it was reluctant to act in deference to its notions of free speech and the fact Britain was not directly affected. More recently, after several gruesome attacks within Britain, it has taken a more robust position, including an active role in combating the abuse of social media by extremist groups.
During Crown Prince Mohammed’s visit, the UK declared its support for the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition, which has 41 members, and announced it has become the first country to sign an agreement of collaboration with the coalition in its initiative to combat threats from terrorism and violent extremism in four sectors: Media, counter-terrorism, military, and ideology.
The two countries also expressed their resolve to intensify efforts to combat terrorism and extremism until their roots were eradicated and funding exhausted, especially by exchanging information and understanding the different methods extremists and terrorists use to influence vulnerable people, and working together to protect people from the negative campaigns they use to spread extremism and conduct recruitment online. They committed to sharing best practices and identifying opportunities for joint projects to counter terrorist propaganda, including in the English language.
On Iran, the UK has tended to defer to its European allies in avoiding a more active role in countering Tehran’s destructive shenanigans in the region; from its runaway ballistic missile program to its support for Hezbollah, the Houthis and other sectarian militias. During the Crown Prince’s visit, however, Britain signalled a break with European policy toward Iran and its proxies, which was characterized by naivete and baseless optimism that the regime would change its spots on its own.
Together with Saudi Arabia, the UK recognized the close links between the spread of terrorism and Iran’s malign meddling in the region and its support for sectarian militias and terrorist groups. The two countries called on Iran to adhere to international norms and the United Nations Charter and refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of its neighbors. They also urged Iran to end its support for Houthi militias in Yemen and for the withdrawal of Iranian elements and Hezbollah from Yemen.
On Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and Britain agreed to work together to support the Lebanese government and to counter Hezbollah’s destabilizing role.
Britain and Saudi Arabia’s shared position on Iran’s destabilizing role should be followed by taking the lead globally in coordinated efforts to roll back its interference in the region — from Bahrain, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia to Iraq, Syria and Lebanon, and to Pakistan, Afghanistan and Central Asia. Britain should follow the US example of scrutinizing and imposing sanctions on Iran’s officials and proxies that are engaged in support for terrorism.
• Abdel Aziz Aluwaisheg is a columnist for Arab News. His email: [email protected]; Twitter: @abuhamad1
The two countries have already enjoyed a close relationship lasting more than 100 years, since concluding their first formal treaty in 1915. They have long partnered on security, defense and trade, as well as on regional and international issues. On regional security, the two countries have shared a commitment to enhanced cooperation between the UK and the Gulf Cooperation Council, and the implementation of plans agreed between them in December 2016. Britain and Saudi Arabia reaffirmed all of that during the London visit.
The Crown Prince’s trip came at a critical juncture in the trajectory of Saudi-British relations, as they have embarked on two key parallel strategic projects: Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the UK’s plans after leaving the European Union in 2019. Through these two ambitious undertakings, the two countries aim to redefine themselves economically and politically and, through their newly defined partnership, they have committed to assist each other in achieving those ambitions.
Britain confirmed its strong support for Vision 2030 and Saudi Arabia’s “program for economic diversity and social reform,” which aims to transform the country into a pioneering investment power and a strategic partner in the Middle East, serving as a focal point for dialogue with the rest of the world. British support could be in the form of delivering expertise to support Saudi Arabia in these vital reforms.
The UK also welcomed Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goal of “promoting and reinvigorating social development to build a vibrant society,” including strengthening families and providing proper education for all children. The UK agreed to support Saudi Arabia’s goal of increasing the number of women and young people participating in the workforce, including in the science, technology, engineering, maths, and digital sectors. Britain also reaffirmed its support of the recent reforms and announcements empowering women.
Saudi Arabia in turn confirmed that it considered the UK a strategic partner in the implementation of Vision 2030, and the two countries committed during the visit to a long-term partnership in investment, trade, education, healthcare, culture, entertainment, financial services, technology, life sciences, innovation, energy, security, and defense technology. Taken overall, these opportunities are expected to amount up to $100bn over a 10-year period, from which the Saudi Public Investment Fund will aim to target direct investments amounting to $30bn.Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to London has ensured the two nations will support each other as they embark on parallel strategic projects — Vision 2030 and Brexit.
Abdel Aziz Aluwaisheg
In the past, Britain was sometimes hesitant to take robust positions on two key issues confronting the region: The spread of terrorism and extremism, and aggression and meddling by Iran and its proxies. On the former, it was reluctant to act in deference to its notions of free speech and the fact Britain was not directly affected. More recently, after several gruesome attacks within Britain, it has taken a more robust position, including an active role in combating the abuse of social media by extremist groups.
During Crown Prince Mohammed’s visit, the UK declared its support for the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition, which has 41 members, and announced it has become the first country to sign an agreement of collaboration with the coalition in its initiative to combat threats from terrorism and violent extremism in four sectors: Media, counter-terrorism, military, and ideology.
The two countries also expressed their resolve to intensify efforts to combat terrorism and extremism until their roots were eradicated and funding exhausted, especially by exchanging information and understanding the different methods extremists and terrorists use to influence vulnerable people, and working together to protect people from the negative campaigns they use to spread extremism and conduct recruitment online. They committed to sharing best practices and identifying opportunities for joint projects to counter terrorist propaganda, including in the English language.
On Iran, the UK has tended to defer to its European allies in avoiding a more active role in countering Tehran’s destructive shenanigans in the region; from its runaway ballistic missile program to its support for Hezbollah, the Houthis and other sectarian militias. During the Crown Prince’s visit, however, Britain signalled a break with European policy toward Iran and its proxies, which was characterized by naivete and baseless optimism that the regime would change its spots on its own.
Together with Saudi Arabia, the UK recognized the close links between the spread of terrorism and Iran’s malign meddling in the region and its support for sectarian militias and terrorist groups. The two countries called on Iran to adhere to international norms and the United Nations Charter and refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of its neighbors. They also urged Iran to end its support for Houthi militias in Yemen and for the withdrawal of Iranian elements and Hezbollah from Yemen.
On Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and Britain agreed to work together to support the Lebanese government and to counter Hezbollah’s destabilizing role.
Britain and Saudi Arabia’s shared position on Iran’s destabilizing role should be followed by taking the lead globally in coordinated efforts to roll back its interference in the region — from Bahrain, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia to Iraq, Syria and Lebanon, and to Pakistan, Afghanistan and Central Asia. Britain should follow the US example of scrutinizing and imposing sanctions on Iran’s officials and proxies that are engaged in support for terrorism.
• Abdel Aziz Aluwaisheg is a columnist for Arab News. His email: [email protected]; Twitter: @abuhamad1
Disclaimer: Views expressed by writers in this section are their own and do not necessarily reflect Arab News' point-of-view
