UK and Dutch Prime Ministers Discuss Strengthening Relations and Regional and International Developments

London, July 21 (KUNA) -- British Prime Minister Andy Burnham and his Dutch counterpart, Rob Jetten, held talks on Tuesday covering a range of issues related to bilateral relations, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Ukraine, the European Union, and the Middle East.

In a statement, the British government said that Burnham and Jetten reaffirmed their desire to strengthen ties between the United Kingdom and the Netherlands in a manner that serves the interests of both peoples. The statement noted that the British prime minister expressed interest in building on existing cooperation and enhancing defense and security collaboration between the two countries.

It added that the two sides also discussed strengthening cooperation in the fields of technology and artificial intelligence, emphasizing the importance of this sector following the appointment of dedicated AI ministers in both governments.

Burnham welcomed the Amphibious Transport Ship agreement signed during the NATO summit in Ankara, which is expected to support hundreds of additional high-skilled jobs in the United Kingdom.

Regarding the Middle East, the two sides agreed on the importance of joint efforts, alongside allies, to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

The British prime minister reiterated his country’s commitment to supporting Ukraine, confirming that there has been no change in the UK’s approach toward Kyiv. He also expressed his gratitude to the Dutch prime minister for the strong support the Netherlands has provided to Ukraine.

The statement emphasized that Burnham underscored his commitment to rebuilding relations with the European Union and working with the Netherlands as a trusted partner.

(End) A.S.H. / M.A.H.A.