Abu Dhabi, Feb 21 (IANS/WAM) Britain has expressed its commitment to enhancing relations with its all its partners across the Gulf while stating that it has ambitious plans to expand the existing co-operation with Gulf states.

''We have ambitious plans to expand our existing co-operation with the Gulf states across the board: in culture, education, defence and security, trade and investment, and foreign policy co-operation,'' Gerald Howarth, Minister for International Security Strategy in the British defence ministry said in an interview with WAM.

On UAE-Britain ties, the minister said: "We have an existing Defence Cooperation Agreement which we are building on in line with our enhanced engagement with our Gulf allies.

"Under the auspices of a cross-governmental UK-UAE Task Force, a joint exercise was held successfully at the end of last year, which coincided with the highly successful visit of the Queen and will be followed by Exercise Sea Khanjar (a joint exercise) later this year. These exercises reinforce the UK's commitment to broader UAE and regional stability. In particular, we welcome the opportunity to train with our long standing and close allies in the UAE."

The International Defence and Exhibition and Conference (IDEX) will provide British companies with the opportunity not only to showcase their capabilities but also enable them to seek new business partners in the UAE and in the region and develop closer co-operation links, said Howarth.