Regional, global challenges figure high in talks

Bolstering UAE-EU ties and advancing parliamentary cooperation in view of the growing joint strategic partnership were the focus of talks in Abu Dhabi between Dr. Amal Abdullah Al Qubaisi, Speaker of the Federal National Council (FNC), and Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy / Vice-President of the Commission.

Additionally, the talks covered the UAE's strategic plans to shape the future and adopt and spread values of tolerance and peaceful co-existence.

Dr. Al Qubaisi and Mogherini also reviewed the agenda of the Global Summit of Women Speakers of Parliaments, to be held in Abu Dhabi on 12th and 13th December under the theme ‘United for Shaping the Future’. Co-hosted by the FNC and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the two-day world parliamentary gathering, the first of its kind in the Middle East, will bring together 52 women speakers of parliaments from throughout the world.

Latest regional and international developments, including in Syria, Iraq and Yemen, as well as the UAE's contribution to Arab, Islamic, regional and international alliances to counter terrorism and extremism, along with humanitarian assistance, figured high in the talks.

The two sides also affirmed their sincere desire to expand the UAE-EU strategic partnership in political, parliamentary, economic, investment, innovation and energy fields.

''The UAE-EU ties, particularly in political, trade, cultural and educational domains, enjoy support and encouragement from the UAE leadership,'' reiterated Dr Al Qubaiai.

Stressing the importance of joint work and cooperation, Dr. Al Qubaisi stressed the need for the EU to play a greater role, along with other regional and international actors, to reach political solutions to ongoing crises in the region and beyond.

The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy paid tribute to Dr. Al Qubaisi, noting, "She is a source of aspirations for being the first women speaker of the parliament in the region." She congratulated her for the hospitality that she will surely give to the participants at the Global Summit of Women Speakers of Parliaments in Abu Dhabi in December.

Highlighting UAE-EU ties of cooperation and partnership, Federica Mogherini said she admired the progress the UAE was making in the areas of economy, trade and tourism, along with feasible, smart investment in energy and renewable energy, which she noted were developing in the right direction.

Also, according to Mogherini, UAE-EU cultural relations were making spectacular growth.

The UAE and EU, she added, maintain excellent channels of consultations on current regional and global events and efforts aimed at bringing about peace and security. She said the two sides have close points of view on a wide range of issues and events.