Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the nature and extent is of the Defence Co-operation Agreements signed between the UK and the United Arab Emirates; and if he will place in the Library a copy of those agreements. [126699]

Dr Murrison, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence [holding answer 5 November 2012]: The Defence Co-Operation Accord signed between the UK and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 1996 provides a framework for current and future defence engagement activity including training and capacity building in order to enhance the stability of the wider region. There are a number of short complementary agreements, for example relating to Ministry of Defence intellectual property. We have had a long-standing maritime presence off the UAE with continuous Royal Navy patrols in the Gulf since the 1980s protecting Britain's interests. We also regularly conduct joint air exercises with our Emirati counterparts. It is not normal practice to publish such agreements, or to place copies in the Library of the House.

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