Off the wire
• China calls for restraint from all sides in Myanmar  • Weather information for Asia-Pacific cities  • 2nd LD Writethru: Four small explosions at Yangon township supermarket  • Roundup: Namibia's First Lady engages the grassroots on social problems  • Central bank continues to inject liquidity into market  • Urgent: UN envoy says "substantial differences" remain with Syria gov't  • 1st LD-Writethru: Beijing braces for first snowfall  • 2nd LD: Merkel announces bid for fourth term as German chancellor  • Standings of CBA league  • Results of CBA league  
You are here: 　 Home

UAE, EU bid for growing joint strategic partnership

Xinhua, November 20, 2016 Adjust font size:

peaker of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Federal National Council (FNC) in Abu Dhabi met Sunday with EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini to discuss regional developments, reported the UAE state news agency WAM.

Al-Qubaisi and Ms. Mogherini discussed means of bolstering UAE-EU ties and developing parliamentary cooperation in light of the growing joint strategic partnership.

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

Mogherini, a member of Italy's Democratic Party, praised Al-Qubaisi, saying "She is a source of aspiration for being the first women speaker of the parliament in the region."

In November 2015 at the inauguration of the 16th FNC assembly, Al-Qubaisi was appointed as President of the FNC by the UAE government.

The two women also discussed the latest regional and international developments as well as Syria, Iraq and Yemen.

Both officials additionally addressed the UAE's contribution to Arab, Islamic, regional and international alliances to counter terrorism and extremism and extend humanitarian assistance.

According to Mogherini, the UAE-EU cultural relations made "spectacular growth."

In May 2015, the UAE and the EU signed a Schengen Visa waiver program, a first for an Arab country, and ever since Emirati nationals only need a valid passport to enter any of the 28 EU states which fall under the Schengen scheme.

The EU foreign policy chief also said the UAE and EU maintain "excellent channels" of consultation on current regional and international events as well as efforts aiming to bring about peace and security.

Mogherini gained international recognition as the EU representative during the year-long talks between the five world powers and Iran which led to the nuclear energy deal between both parties in July 2015.

The EU foreign policy chief arrived on Saturday in the UAE to attend the official opening of the European Union Mission to the UAE in Abu Dhabi, the UAE capital. Endit