The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, during a visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Friday 1 and Saturday 2 October, called for strengthened mutual engagement and cooperation on bilateral, regional and global issues, according to a statement from the European External Action Service on Sunday 3 October.
“The UAE is an important partner in the Gulf. (...) The EU wants to continue the regular political dialogue on challenges we face”, he explained, according to the statement, adding that the regular human rights dialogue allowed both sides to raise specific concerns.
For Mr Borrell, the election of the UAE as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the next two years offers opportunities to further enhance joint engagement in dealing with regional challenges.
During his visit to the Dubai Expo, the High Representative also discussed with his Emirati partners the possibilities of deeper cooperation between the EU and the UAE on sustainability, diversification and modernisation and about ways to bridge cultural differences between regions with the aim of fostering a better mutual understanding within the global community.
The situation in Afghanistan, the Iran nuclear deal and climate action were also discussed. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)