The European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, Maroš Šefčovič, was in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday 28 May to formalise the start of negotiations for the EU/United Arab Emirates trade agreement, alongside the UAE Minister for Trade, Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi (see EUROPE 13619/19).
The two parties have agreed on a ‘roadmap’ that will see work starting in June. The first negotiation sessions between the technical teams will focus on the reduction of customs duties on products, the facilitation of services, online trade and investment flows.
More broadly, the hoped-for agreement between the two partners should increase trade in strategic sectors such as renewable energy, green hydrogen and critical raw materials.
In recent months, EU Member States have given their support to the idea of increasing the number of sectoral agreements that can be concluded quickly. (Original version in French by Léa Marchal)