During his opening speech he highlighted the many examples where UK/Arab cultural relations were deep and ingrained and pointed to the ongoing and everyday activities that characterize the close friendship: the teaching and learning of the English language, our sporting and cultural reputations and our record on inter-cultural and inter-faith understanding.

Ivan Lewis acknowledged that there are still obstacles to overcome in the region but made clear that the objective is for a peaceful, stable and secure global future where economies and individuals can thrive.

He said:

'Our bilateral relationship is built on the UK supporting the young people of the Middle East by investing in community sports programmes to encourage young people to do more sport, remain active and lead healthy and happy lives.

It is about education ministries across the Arab world recognizing that basic English skills is a key tool to increase employment opportunities for young people - and the British Council supporting 40 million people across the Middle East already learning English and the 800,000 people trying to teach it.

This is what is at the core of our relationship.

And of course there are challenges. The road has not always been smooth and there will be difficulties, inevitably, in the future. But our objective is the same – a peaceful, stable and secure global future where economies and individuals can thrive.

There are still some very serious obstacles to overcome. The terrible bomb attacks in Baghdad on Sunday are a reminder that despite the overall improvement in security in Iraq there is some way to go.

We remain committed to working with the Government of Iraq on a number of diverse issues and I have every confidence in the determination of the people of Iraq in ensuring that their country continues on its path to stability.

I also want to be explicit today when I say that the UK strongly believes that key to regional stability and security is two states – a viable Palestine state alongside a secure Israel – realizing the national aspirations of both people. We would underline the words viable and secure. Borders must be based on the line of 1967 and both states must share Jerusalem as their capital city and there must be security guarantees for Israel and justice for Palestinian refugees. 

That is the vision the UK government is committed to achieve. 

Notes for Editors

Read more about the Arab British Economic Forum

Read more about the Middle East Peace Process

 

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