Britain's Middle East Minister, James Cleverly, has lauded the "teamwork" which exists between the UK and the UAE in the battle against the coronavirus.

The British Minister of State for the Mena region thanked UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr Anwar Gargash for the UAE's assistance.

In a tweet on Thursday, he said that he had thanked the UAE for its efforts in ensuring work to develop a Covid-19 vaccine was fully funded.

Mr Cleverly's comments come after the first aircraft carrying urgent aid for the United Kingdom's healthcare sector arrived in London on Thursday evening from China.

The shipment was as part of directives issued by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.

The aid, which includes 60 tonnes of personal protective equipment (PPE) and medical equipment, aims to support the UK's National Health Service (NHS) in combating Covid-19.

The urgent aid ordered by Sheikh Mohammed included face masks, protective clothing and other essential items required during this period.

The humanitarian gesture reflects the strong historical relations between the UAE and the UK.

The gesture is also part of the UAE's desire to help frontline health workers combat the pandemic.

Furthermore, Sheikh Mohammed's generous aid demonstrates the UAE's keenness to support international efforts to contain the outbreak.

Britain is battling with one the world's worst outbreaks of the novel coronavirus, with more than 170,000 confirmed cases.

It has the second-highest official Covid-19 death toll in Europe with 26,771 deaths.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who returned to work on Monday after a lengthy recuperation after he contracted the virus last month, said on Thursday that Britain had passed the peak of its outbreak.

The British government is due to unveil its proposals to ease its nationwide lockdown next week.

Meanwhile, Mr Cleverly also revealed on Twitter that he had discussed the Yemen conflict with Dr Gargash and the two agreed on the need for the Riyadh Agreement to be adhered to in full.

The agreement was ratified on November 5, 2019, between the Yemeni government and the secessionist Southern Transitional Council (STC).

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