Future-oriented cooperation: Armenian-Emirati relations have great potential for development

Within the framework of his working visit to the United Arab Emirates, President Armen Sarkissian met with the UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan.

Issues related to the regional security and stability comprised the pivot of the agenda of the meeting. The President of Armenia touched upon the Artsakh issue, the situation, developments, and challenges in our country and the region after the war.

Speaking about the humanitarian problems caused by the war, the President of Armenia particularly noted that Azerbaijan continues to detain Armenian prisoners of war and civilians. Armenia also expects the practical support of its international partners in resolving this urgent issue.

Touching upon the bilateral relations, the parties noted that the high level of the RA-UAE political dialogue creates favourable grounds for mutually beneficial economic and investment cooperation. President Sarkissian also attached importance to the Armenian-Emirati relations in the context of cooperation between Armenia and the Arab countries.

The UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation stressed the United Arab Emirates' interest in expanding effective, mutually beneficial cooperation with Armenia. He particularly mentioned the deepening of cooperation in the fields of energy, information technologies, food security, and tourism.

They noted that the new air bridge, established between the two countries, is another reliable step aimed at strengthening trade, economic, and business ties between Armenia and the UAE.

President Sarkissian also referred to the investment program implemented by the Emirati company Masdar in the field of renewable energy in Armenia, stressing the importance of its expansion and new investments.

The parties emphasized the significance of bilateral reciprocal visits. In this context, Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan expressed readiness to visit Armenia in the near future.

Agreeing that the Armenian-Emirati relations, the main areas of interaction and ongoing projects are future-oriented, the interlocutors noted that based on a great potential for cooperation, also the opportunity and desire to do more, it is necessary to move consistently forward with joint efforts.