Al Jaber and Mogherini open European Union mission in Abu Dhabi

Dr. Sultan bin Ahmad Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of State, and Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, last night officially inaugurated the European Union Delegation to the UAE.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Al Jaber said, ''We are pleased with the opening of the European Union Delegation to the UAE. The UAE maintains close ties with EU member states, with whom we are always working to develop and bolster with directives of the UAE leadership to reach out and cooperate with the international community so as to serve mutual interests and advance efforts aimed at realising peace and security, and at achieving sustainable development.''

"Thanks to the persistent efforts exerted by H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the UAE diplomatic presence has been witnessing remarkable progress. The opening of this Delegation will contribute towards further enhancement of UAE-EU ties,'' he added.

In her remarks at the opening, Mogherini, said, that EU and the UAE have a common regional agenda of taking on challenges and making better use of opportunities. "We work hand in hand on bilateral issues in an excellent manner," she said.

The delegation will be the second office of the EU in the region following Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

"I believe that we have a common regional agenda. As part of our global strategy we want to work more and more with the UAE, and with the GCC, as there are many challenges in the region, stretching from Libya to Syria, and Yemen. As well as the opportunities in this region, we see room to work and cooperate together in a very firm manner," she said.

Mogherini, who is visiting the UAE for the first time in her new role, said that her visit will begin an intense session of bilateral meetings between the two sides. "I have promised my friends today, that this will open a session of intense and frequent visits from our side and yours. You are always welcome to Brussels to see us, because we really see the need to work together," she said.

Present at the reception were a number of high profile guests from government organisations, Ambassadors of several nations, including Canada, Argentina, Macedonia, EU Member States accredited to the UAE, and several other officials from the Diplomatic Corps.

Mogherini said, "My first official visit in my new capacity is an excellent opportunity to celebrate our friendship. The UAE is a country with whom we work hand in hand on bilateral issues in an excellent manner. It is the only country, not only in the region but the only Arab country that has a visa waiver agreement with the European Union."

"It is also country with whom we have so much in common in so many different areas, from energy and climate change, to infrastructure, trade, economic, culture relations," she noted, adding that she is looking forward to the UAE's hosting of the Expo 2020 Dubai.

She also paid tributes to Dr. Amal Abdullah Al Qubaisi, Speaker of Federal National Council (FNC), saying that UAE is a source of inspiration for having the first woman Speaker of the Federal National Council in the region. She congratulated her for excellent hospitality that she will surely give to the Global Summit of Women Speakers of Parliaments in Abu Dhabi in December.

In his statement on the occasion, Patrizio Fondi, European Union Ambassador to the UAE, said, "Today celebrates the EU Delegation's official inauguration in the United Arab Emirates. This mission is both a symbol and a tangible instrument of friendship and a remarkable momentum for EU-UAE relations."

"Since my arrival in the UAE, I have witnessed the significant development of bilateral relationship in several fields. The mission is proud to represent the EU in a country whose leadership has a future-oriented vision while maintaining its past and its tradition; keeping a balance between technological progress and the human dimension of individuals," he added.

He went on to say, "The UAE has been increasingly active on the regional and global scene, proving to be a solid and reliable partner for the EU in several fields, including counter-terrorism, energy, environment, climate change, non-proliferation and economic dialogue."

The UAE is among the top ten destinations for EU exports. The country is also home to more than 40,000 EU companies and 160,000 EU citizens, and hosts the embassies of 22 EU countries.