HC Deb 25 July 1978 vol 954 c650W
Mr. Maurice Macmillan

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what treaty obligations Her Majesty's Government have of a strategic or defensive nature with nations on the Arabian peninsula; and what activities have taken place over the past three years in pursuit of these treaty obligations.

Mr. Judd

Britain no longer has a formal defence treaty with any country in the Arabian Peninsula. We do, however, have frequent discussions with many countries in the area, and pursue civil and military co-operation with them under arrangements agreed with the Governments concerned.

At the time of the British military withdrawal from the Persian Gulf in 1971, treaties of friendship were signed with Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. These provide for consultation on matters of mutual concern in time of need". A Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation was signed with the then Sultan of Muscat and Oman in 1951.

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