LONDON: Bahrain and the UK vowed to boost economic and security cooperation as Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad held talks with the British prime minister on Thursday.
Prince Salman said relations with the UK continued to evolve toward more advanced and solid partnerships in various fields, based on their close history spanning decades, Bahrain News Agency reported.
“The bilateral partnership between the two countries are based on opening wider horizons for the development of solid relations at all levels, in a manner that reflects the aspirations of the two countries,” Prince Hamad said during his meeting with Prime Minister Boris Johnson at 10 Downing Street.
He praised Britain’s strategic and vital role in maintaining security and stability in the region, and developing cooperation in areas such as military, economic and trade.
“They reflected on the close and historic partnership between the UK and Bahrain and agreed to further strengthen our economic, security and diplomatic cooperation,” Downing Street said in a statement, adding the two leaders discussed the global effort against COVID-19, support for international initiatives to combat the pandemic, including COVAX, and deepening cooperation on green technology and the transition to renewable energy.
“They also spoke about regional security issues and defense collaboration, and the prime minister commended the Bahraini government’s steps to normalize relations with Israel,” the statement added.
Prince Salman also met with Prince Charles, conveying greetings from King Hamad to Queen Elizabeth II.
Bahrain crown prince discusses Middle East security with UK PM Johnson
https://arab.news/2wkg3
Bahrain crown prince discusses Middle East security with UK PM Johnson
- The two leaders discussed the global effort against COVID-19 and deepening cooperation on green technology
- Prince Salman also met with Prince Charles, conveying greetings from King Hamad to Queen Elizabeth II
Dubai’s Iranian diaspora torn as war hammers Gulf
- The commercial and tourist hub of the UAE, Dubai is home to a large Iranian community, some of whom — like Asaadi’s father — arrived as early as the 1920s in search of better opportunities
DUBAI: From his grocery shop in Dubai, Iranian Morteza Asaadi lamented the drop in business brought on by the Middle East war.
Iranians in Dubai are torn as Tehran retaliates against countries in the Gulf — on the one hand fearful for loved ones facing US and Israeli bombardments back home, while also wary of the Iranian strikes threatening their livelihood.
With more people staying home because of the attacks, “we are fearful, you know, for a livelihood,” said Asaadi, noting the “uncomfortable” situation of thousands of Iranians living in the Emirate just across the Gulf.
“Can you imagine that if you’re a guest somewhere and, you know, your child goes and does something to the host’s son,” he added.
The commercial and tourist hub of the UAE, Dubai is home to a large Iranian community, some of whom — like Asaadi’s father — arrived as early as the 1920s in search of better opportunities.
The unwritten rule has always been to stay out of politics. “But unfortunately, politics sometimes comes to us,” Asaadi said.
The shopkeeper said he hoped the war would be over soon, because Dubai is “like my hometown.”
Despite sometimes testy relations, the Emirates have always maintained strong economic ties with Iran.
Ali Akbar’s eatery in a working-class district of Dubai has been open since 1991. But while customers have been few and far between since the war started, he remains hopeful.
“Iran has no problem with the Emirates. The problem is with the Americans,” he said in accented Arabic. “The Emiratis are our brothers.” “And God willing, it will be over soon.”
The property sector, where Soroush Helali works alongside his acting career, has also slowed down, but that has had no bearing so far on his desire to remain in Dubai.
He moved to Dubai a year ago. Now, his parents are begging him to return to Belgium, where he also holds citizenship and where his family settled more than 20 years ago. While he admits to being afraid at times, he says seeing innocent people being bombed in his home country puts things into perspective.
