UAE group holds first meeting in Britain

The first meeting of the new UAE all-party parliamentary group was held in the British Parliament on December 1.

Its main aim is to strengthen links between the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. Over 40 parliamentarians have already expressed an interest in participating in its activities.

Kevan Jones, a member of Parliament for Britain's governing Labour Party, is the newly-elected chairman of the group and the vice-chairmen are: Hugo Swire, a Conservative mp, and John Thurso, a Liberal Democrat Mp.

Khalid Mahmood, another Labour mp who has strong links with the Uae, was elected secretary. Dr Rosemary Hollis, head of the Middle East programme at London's Royal Institute of International Affairs, addressed the gathering.

She spoke about the historic links between the uae and the uk, the development and diversification of the Uae's economy, and the important role it plays in the region.

After the meeting, a number of parliamentarians attended a reception given by the uae embassy in London to mark uae National Day.

After the meeting, Kevan Jones said: "The formation of this group sends a strong signal that British politicians want to build on the uk's excellent relations with the UAE. The uae is a success story which British parliamentarians want to learn more about. We greatly look forward to doing so in the years ahead."

The group plans to send a delegation to the uae next year.