ABU DHABI: United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan received British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Abu Dhabi on Thursday for talks focused on Middle East developments, regional security and the broader UAE-UK relationship. The meeting brought together two close partners at a time of heightened concern over security in the Gulf, the durability of a recently announced ceasefire and the need to protect maritime trade routes that are critical to energy supplies and the wider global economy.
During the meeting, Sheikh Mohamed and Starmer discussed the latest developments in the Middle East and their implications for regional and international stability. The talks also covered the effect of the crisis on maritime security, energy flows and commercial activity beyond the region. The visit to Abu Dhabi formed part of Starmer’s Gulf trip, which the British government said was aimed at supporting diplomatic efforts to uphold the ceasefire and sustain regional stability after days of intensified tension and disruption.
Starmer expressed solidarity with the people of the UAE and offered condolences for lives lost in recent attacks, according to the British government’s account of the meeting. The two leaders agreed that targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure in the region was indefensible. The UAE’s official account said the talks also addressed attacks affecting the UAE and other regional states, with both sides underscoring the seriousness of the security situation and the need to protect sovereignty, public safety and essential infrastructure.
Regional security and shipping
A central part of the discussion was the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important shipping lanes for oil, gas and commercial cargo. The leaders discussed the need to restore the free flow of goods through the waterway in order to support global supply chains and reduce pressure on the international economy. Both sides also welcomed the ceasefire and said efforts were needed to ensure it holds, reflecting the importance they attached to de escalation and to safeguarding trade routes that link Gulf producers with world markets.
The meeting also turned to the wider UAE-UK partnership, with the two leaders reviewing progress in bilateral ties and identifying areas for deeper cooperation. Both sides agreed to continue strengthening relations across innovation, trade and investment, according to the official readouts. That reflected a broader agenda beyond the immediate regional crisis, with Abu Dhabi and London seeking to preserve momentum in economic and strategic cooperation even as diplomatic attention remains fixed on security developments and the reopening of key maritime corridors.
Trade and bilateral agenda
For the UAE, the talks reinforced its focus on regional stability, secure shipping lanes and continued engagement with international partners at a volatile moment for the Gulf. For the United Kingdom, the meeting aligned with Starmer’s stated effort to back the ceasefire, promote freedom of navigation and support measures aimed at preventing further disruption to global trade and energy supplies. The discussion in Abu Dhabi placed those priorities side by side, linking immediate security concerns with the practical economic consequences of instability in the region.
The meeting was attended by senior UAE officials, including Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and National Security Adviser, along with other ministers and advisers. Both sides said they expected to remain in contact as regional diplomacy continues, while also advancing cooperation in priority sectors identified during the talks in Abu Dhabi – By Content Syndication Services.