In Geopolitics Today - Wednesday, September 22nd
UAE & UK Launch “Partnership for the Future” and Jordan and Syria Working to Restore Relations
UAE & UK Launch “Partnership for the Future”
The United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom have recently signed multiple memorandums of understanding, deepening ties on matters of defence and artificial intelligence. The agreements were launched under a “Partnership for the Future” program between the two nation and signals the intent to transfer AI-related knowledge, investments and standards to the UAE. The UK Ministry of Defence is seeking to strengthen cooperation in defence-related research and development with Abu Dhabi.
Mohamed bin Zayed, the crown prince of Abu Dhabi, met with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson where the two spoke highly of their cooperation. The first UK-UAE public collaboration on AI began in May 2019 with AI partnerships and investments increasing significantly between the UK and the UAE in the years since. A joint statement following this recent round of meetings state that both countries have “developed stronger industrial ties through collaboration in defence and security.”
The two parties are said to still be in the exploration phase of cooperation, but even so the memorandums signed focus on aligning existing R&D programs and supply chains, as well as to maintaining, repairing, and operating research divisions. The UK and the UAE are reportedly also looking to support start-ups in both countries to cultivate a broader portfolio of products and technologies for the Emirati military.
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Jordan and Syria Working to Restore Relations
The recent visit of Syria’s defence minister, General Ali Ayyoub, to Jordan marks a diplomatic turning point in relations between Syria and Joran. Damascus had previously accused Amman of funding and training rebel fighters, which then were allowed enter Syria through its border with Jordan. Jordan and Syria have been at odds since the beginning of the Syrian civil war in 2011 when Jordanian King Abdullah II sided with the United States. Relations between Damascus and Amman formally broke down in 2014.
The diplomatic reversal from Amman was first signalled in 2018, when Jordan appointed a senior diplomat to Damascus, thereby upgrading diplomatic ties after first recalling its ambassador at the onset of the Syrian Civil War in 2011. Leaders in Jordan have since come to accept the reality that Assad is staying in power in Syria, and are now acknowledge that dialogue and coordination are needed. Relations are developing first and foremost in the realm of security, and will initially focus on securing the border between the two countries in order to facilitate economic ties.
Jordan’s Minister for Media Affairs alluded to this when discussing future areas of cooperation with Syria. He said that a meeting between Syrian and Jordanian ministers is forthcoming, and will entail discussions about “a variety of economic issues between the two countries.” Initial meetings covering economic cooperation in areas of mutual interest are said to already be planned between the agriculture, energy, and water ministries. Cooperation between Syria and Jordan on regional matters is also seeing positive signs, as was demonstrated when the energy ministers of Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan came together to sign a deal to transport gas from Egypt to Lebanon via Syria and Jordan.
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