The fourth round of expert level Senior Officials’ Meetings between the European Union and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) took place in Brussels today, in the framework of the Cooperation Arrangement between the European External Action Service (EEAS) and the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MOFAIC).

The meeting, conducted in a friendly and forward-looking atmosphere, further consolidated the comprehensive bilateral partnership between the EU and UAE on the basis of the 2022 EU Joint Communication on a Strategic Partnership with the Gulf.

The discussions took place in three Working Groups on “Trade and Economic Diversification”,“ Security and Counter-Terrorism “ and “Global Agenda”.

In this regard, the two sides discussed issues of mutual interest, such as trade and investment; preventing and countering terrorism and violent extremism, broader security matters; climate change; green transition; development cooperation, as well as operational priorities in humanitarian assistance, education, research, and innovation, with the aim to deepen cooperation and intensify synergies.

The meeting was co-chaired by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the UAE, the EEAS and the European Commission.

The next Senior Officials' Meeting will be held in Abu Dhabi, in 2025.