Look: Historic first official visit by Sheikh Khalifa to UK

This was one of the meetings that galvanised the countries' bilateral relations and bolstered the cooperation and economic ties between the two sides

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Published: Fri 19 Jul 2024, 6:00 AM

Last updated: Sun 21 Jul 2024, 7:48 PM

This day – 40 years ago – on July 19, 1984, Khaleej Times bannered the historic first official visit to UK by the late Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who was then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces,.

It was one of the meetings that galvanised the UAE-UK bilateral relations and bolstered the cooperation and economic ties between the two sides. It was also a meeting where the UAE urged UK to support Arab issues and peace moves in the Middle East.

Sheikh Khalifa, who eventually became the second president of the UAE in November 2004, met with then British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. As quoted by Khaleej Times, an official said after the meeting that “Sheikh Khalifa affirmed during the talks the necessity of finding a just and comprehensive settlement of the Middle East problem and the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and the establishment of a state on their land.”

The same official added the two leaders also discussed the Iraq-Iran war (which happened between 1980 and 1988) and its effects on stability and security in the region. Sheikh Khalifa and Thatcher “held identical views on the need for continued contacts between the UAE and UK to support peace efforts,” the official noted.

First visit by a sitting UK PM

Three years before Sheikh Khalifa’s first official visit to UK, Thatcher – for her part – made history as the first sitting UK prime minister to visit the UAE on April 21, 1981. She was accompanied by her husband, Sir Denis Thatcher.

In a photo taken by KT photographer Shaheedi, Thatcher was welcomed by the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, who was then UAE Vice-President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.

Sheikh Rashid and Margaret Thatcher

Several sheikhs, ministers and the diplomatic corps welcomed Thatcher and her entourage who were put up in the best hotels.

The following day, on April 22, Thatcher went to Dubai and tried her hand at playing goatskin tambourine. She also enjoyed a brief cruise along Dubai Creek in the same traditional Arabian sailing boat that carried Queen Elizabeth II during her first official visit to the UAE in February 1979.

Queen Elizabeth inaugurated desalination in Jebel Ali

Bolstering cooperation

The official visits and direct meetings between the UAE and UK leaders were undoubtedly key milestones that helped advance the cooperation between the two countries.

During her first visit to the UAE in February 1979, Queen Elizabeth II was welcomed with warm reception headed by Sheikh Zayed, Sheikh Rashid and Members of the Supreme Council.

The British monarch inaugurated the desalination plant at the Dubai Aluminium Smelter in Jebel Ali. She also inaugurated other major projects in the UAE, including Dubai International Trade & Exhibition Centre, Dubai Dry Docks, Dubai Municipality building and Jebel Ali Port.

Fast forward to the present, President Sheikh Mohamed was among the first world leaders who congratulated Keir Starmer on his appointment as the new UK Prime Minister.

In a phone conversation, the UAE President wished Starmer success in leading his country and also called for further strengthening “the historical and strategic relations between the UAE and UK”.

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