Brussels: Europe and the Arab World

A statement issued in Brussels on behalf of António Costa, President of the European Council, said: “During my first visit to the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday as President of the European Council, I had the honor of meeting His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates.”

The statement added: “The United Arab Emirates is an important and reliable partner for the European Union, for the good, prosperity, stability, and security of both our regions. The European Union is committed to strengthening bilateral relations through trade, political dialogue, and security.

We also discussed global challenges, particularly the situation in Gaza. We agreed that the focus must now be on the swift and full implementation of President Trump’s peace plan.

I thanked His Highness for his personal leadership and his country’s pivotal role in providing humanitarian assistance to Gaza and helping to alleviate human suffering. The European Union reaffirms its readiness to play its part and contribute to the reconstruction of Gaza.

We also had a fruitful dialogue on Ukraine. The United Arab Emirates has played a pivotal role in providing humanitarian assistance and facilitating prisoner exchanges.” I briefed His Highness on the European Union's efforts in support of President Trump's initiative, and we agreed that achieving a just and lasting peace in Ukraine is our shared goal. According to official UAE media reports, the meeting addressed various aspects of cooperation and joint action between the UAE, the European Union, and its member states, as well as opportunities to expand this cooperation at all levels to enhance common interests and benefit all parties.

The meeting also touched upon the importance of the ongoing negotiations regarding the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between the UAE and the European Union, which aims to propel relations towards greater growth and prosperity, and to elevate trade and economic cooperation to serve shared development goals.

His Highness and the President of the European Council also discussed several regional and international issues of mutual concern, most notably the latest developments in the Middle East and the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories. They emphasized the importance of maintaining the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, which would allow for the continued provision of sufficient and sustainable humanitarian aid to the residents of the Strip. They further stressed the need to intensify international efforts to advance a clear path towards a lasting and comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution, for the benefit of all the peoples and countries of the region.

Both sides emphasized the importance of strengthening diplomatic efforts and dialogue in resolving crises in the Middle East and Europe, as this is the only way to preserve security and stability in the region and the world.

The meeting was attended by His Excellency Sheikh Sultan bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, Advisor to His Highness the President of the UAE, His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Advisor to His Highness the President of the UAE, and a number of Their Excellencies the Ministers and senior state officials.