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UAE and UK agree to confront ISIS threat

Dr Anwar Mohammed Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, and UK FCO Minister for the Middle East and North Africa Tobias Ellwood lead talks of UAE-UK Taskforce.

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Dr Anwar Gargash and Tobias Ellwood exchange the joint communique after the UAE-UK Taskforce meeting in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. — Wam

The UAE-UK Taskforce held wide-ranging talks on issues of mutual concern like the electronic visa waiver scheme for Emiratis, developments in the region including the threat posed by the ISIS and increasing bilateral trade to Dh71.2 billion by next year.

At its 12th meeting held in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, the two sides also agreed on signing a memorandum of understanding on higher education and the recognition of UK qualifications in the UAE.

Dr Anwar Mohammed Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, and UK FCO Minister for the Middle East and North Africa Tobias Ellwood led the two sides.

After the meeting, the two sides issued a joint communique which said the Taskforce discussed the strong commercial relationship between the two countries, including significant Emirati investments in the UK agreed over the last few months.

Representatives of the UAE-UK Business Council Nasser al Suwaidi and Richard Oliver updated the Taskforce on the outcomes from the council meeting held on Monday and highlighted the ongoing success of the council since its establishment in 2011. This includes making progress towards the joint target of increasing bilateral trade to Dh71.2 billion by 2015. The Taskforce also discussed the Double Taxation Agreement, explored opportunities for partnership in renewable energy in the developing world, and saw the signing of an Air Services Agreement.

The ministers acknowledged the success of the electronic visa waiver system for Emirati citizens launched by the UK in January 2014 and discussed ways to further streamline the system. Also discussed was cooperation in tackling crime, particularly, the repatriation of criminal proceeds.

Educational cooperation was on the agenda, with an agreement reached on the need to sign a memorandum of understanding on Higher Education; the recognition of UK qualifications in the UAE and a memorandum of understanding on the British Council were also discussed.

The ministers agreed to improve coordination between the two countries on development and humanitarian issues.

They also discussed regional issues and ways to confront the common threat of the ISIS throughout the region. The ministers agreed that both countries must work together to combat extremism. They confirmed that in both Iraq and Syria, the UK and UAE are determined to support those who are committed to inclusive, non-sectarian government and the rule of law, and who are on the frontline in resisting terrorists and extremists.

Speaking after the Taskforce meeting, Dr Gargash said, “The UAE values its relationship with the UK and our Taskforce meetings have been instrumental in helping to maintain an open and sustained dialogue between our countries.”

Ellwood said, “The UK and the UAE enjoy a close partnership based on deep historical links and shared interests. The Taskforce, now in its fourth year, is important to both our countries. I am pleased that we were able to agree to strengthen our partnerships across education, renewable energy and investment. We also agreed the vital importance of our shared endeavour in tackling the threat posed by the ISIS.”

The Taskforce was established in July 2010 following the visits of British Prime Minister David Cameron to the UAE, and UAE Foreign Minister Shaikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan to the UK with the intention of further strengthening ties between the two countries. It remains an important mechanism in the bilateral relationship.