UK defence secretary in Dubai to raise awareness of navy's Gulf role

Dubai: The UK Secretary of State for Defence is currently visiting Dubai to tell Royal Navy personnel they're "appreciated", he told Gulf News aboard the HMS Enterprise in Port Rashid on Sunday.

Dr Liam Fox's presence in the region is part of a wider Gulf initiative adopted by the new UK coalition government. His focus is on security, defence and capacity building.

The HMS Enterprise, a multi-role survey vessel, arrived in Dubai on Sunday morning.

Keeping promises

Fox's most recent visit to the Enterprise was during a trip to Bahrain earlier this month. "I said if I was here, then I'd come back — that's a rare example of a politician keeping his promises," he said.

Dedicated visits by senior politicians will feature more in the future under the new coalition government, an onboard spokesperson said.

Fox is also in the UAE to raise awareness of the Royal Navy in the Gulf.