ABU DHABI// The European Union Delegation to the UAE has been officially opened in the capital.
Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of State, chairman of the board of directors of National Media Council, met with Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the Commission, at the inauguration ceremony at Etihad Towers.
“The UAE is a country we work hand in hand with on bilateral issues in an excellent manner,” said Ms Mogherini.
“It’s the only Arab country that has a visa waiver regime with the European Union, a country with whom we have so much in common from energy and climate change to trade, culture relations.”
The ceremony included a number of high profile guests including the president of the Federal National Council, Dr Amal Al Qubaisi, chief of protocol, Shihab Al Faheem, and several officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Representatives from other government organisations, as well as the ambassadors of countries including Canada, Argentina, Macedonia and EU Member States also attended.
Ms Mogherini said she was looking forward to seeing Expo 2020 in Dubai.
“This is why we indicate in our global strategy that we need to work together the Gulf countries, there are many challenges and opportunities we can both work on together,” she said.
“Let me add that you [the UAE] are a source of inspiration for having the first woman President of the Federal National Council.”
Patrizio Fondi, EU ambassador to the UAE, said the ceremony was a moment of celebration.
“This delegation is both a symbol and a tangible instrument of friendship and remarkable momentum in EU-UAE relations,” he said.
He praised the UAE’s increasingly active role both in the region and internationally.