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UK Deputy PM Oliver Dowden touched down in the UAE last week in secret, in a bid to repair souring relations between the UAE and UK, the Financial Times reports, citing people close to talks between the nations. Dowden discussed “deepening and strengthening [UK-UAE] diplomatic and investment ties” with senior Emirati government officials during his visit, the Financial Times cites the UK Cabinet Office as saying.
The move comes as the country looks for GBP bns of fresh investment from sovereign wealth funds, and after recent ruptures worsened bilateral ties between the two countries, said officials and analysts from both sides.
REMEMBER- Abu Dhabi-backed RedBird IMI formally withdrew its bid to acquire British papers, the Telegraph and Spectator at the start of the month, following months of opposition from the UK government.
“There was probably a lot said about the UAE that was very undiplomatic,” UK business and trade secretary Kemi Badenoch told the Financial Times. Politicians “are often careless about how they speak about other countries … There are lessons to be learned about how we do that better,” Badenoch added.
ALSO- More details on the AI partnership with France: The Abu Dhabi Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technology Council signed an AI MoU with the French Economy, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty Ministry to jointly advance AI tech and infrastructure in both countries, Wam reports.
The partnership will see the two countries explore investments in startups and investment funds focused on AI models and applications in sectors like health, financial services, software, retail, and industry, as well as next generation hardware.
ICYMI- The agreement — revealed yesterday by French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire — will cover four new areas of cooperation, including investments in data centers and semiconductors, as well as research and skill development through the Abu Dhabi branch of the Sorbonne, the minister said.
OTHER DIPLO NEWS-
Foreign Affairs Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan discussed humanitarian cooperation with UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths on Tuesday, Wam reports. The meeting covered the situation in Gaza and the importance of securing a ceasefire.
