Writing in his capacity as President of the Conservative Middle East Council, Nicholas Soames writes to the editor of the Financial Times.

Sir, In response to Mr William J. Heard’s letter (October 29): I should like to make it plain that the Conservative party places great value on Britain’s relationships with the countries of the Middle East.

The 200 years of shared history between Britain and the Middle East, particularly with the states of the Gulf Co-operation Council, have created a set of relationships that cannot – and will not – be undermined by occasional criticism whether aimed at us or our friends. Countries of the Middle East matter to us, whether they are reborn through revolution like Libya or changing through evolution like the Gulf states. We want to be their partners as they shape their future in the 21st century.

Since coming to power this Conservative-led government has done a huge amount to reaffirm our commitment and friendship with the region. The Arab partnership initiative is supporting political and economic reforms in the Arab Spring countries.

The Gulf Initiative and defence co-operation has greatly re-energised our relationships with the Gulf states. These relationships are of enormous mutual value; Britain exports more than £15bn worth of goods and services annually to the Gulf – the same as China and India combined. Investment from the Gulf into the UK totalled about $2.25bn in 2011.

At a time of unprecedented changes and challenges across the Middle East, the one thing that is unchanging and unshakeable is the friendship and respect for the Middle East that exists within this government and across the Conservative parliamentary party.

Nicholas Soames, Conservative, Mid Sussex, House of Commons
President, Conservative Middle East Council