- European Union Highlights Growing Cooperation with Emirates in Trade, Investment, Climate, AI and Security
- Brussels Says Partnership Has Evolved from Diplomatic Relations into Broad Economic and Strategic Cooperation
ABU DHABI: The European Union has highlighted the longstanding and expanding partnership between Europe and the United Arab Emirates, describing bilateral relations as being shaped by geographical proximity and strengthened by growing economic ties and a shared commitment to prosperity, security and long-term stability.
In a statement titled “With the United Arab Emirates, consistently,” the Delegation of the European Union to the UAE, part of the European External Action Service (EEAS), reviewed the evolution of relations between the two sides.
The statement noted that as the UAE developed and transformed over the decades, its relationship with the European Union also expanded, evolving from traditional diplomatic ties into a broad and enduring partnership encompassing economic, political and security cooperation.
A New Chapter in EU-UAE Relations
The EU said Europe and the UAE are now entering a new chapter in their partnership, supported by strong economic interdependence. The European Union is the UAE’s largest investment partner and second-largest trading partner, according to the statement.
Cooperation has also broadened into areas including climate action, artificial intelligence, advanced technology and security, while people-to-people links continue to provide an important foundation for the relationship.
The EU highlighted the presence of dozens of European schools in the UAE, along with partnerships between European and Emirati universities, as examples of growing educational and societal connections.
Cooperation on Green Economy and Artificial Intelligence
Building on cooperation established around COP28, the EU and UAE are continuing to explore opportunities in the green economy and artificial intelligence.
The two sides are also working to strengthen connectivity between Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, while combining their technological capabilities, expertise and investment potential in emerging sectors.
The statement emphasized that climate and technology cooperation are becoming increasingly important components of the broader EU-UAE partnership.
Security and Regional Stability
The EU also underscored the importance of security cooperation amid growing pressures in the wider region.
According to the statement, the European Union has stood alongside the UAE during periods of heightened regional insecurity, supporting the country’s resilience and working with Abu Dhabi to contribute to stability in the UAE and across the broader region.
Partnership Built on Long-Term Cooperation
The EU said the relationship with the UAE is founded not only on shared economic interests but also on sustained political dialogue, security cooperation, technological collaboration and strong human connections.
“True partnership is measured not only by the moments we celebrate, but by our ability to stand together when stability is tested,” the statement concluded, reaffirming the EU’s commitment to maintaining and strengthening its partnership with the UAE.
BY: The Times Union
