Iohannis, official visit to the United Arab Emirates. Why is Romania going to Abu Dhabi, for the first time after 20 years

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President Klaus Iohannis will pay an official visit to the United Arab Emirates from Saturday to Tuesday, at the invitation of the President of the Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan.

By the Observator editorial team on 17.03.2023, 20:31

“The President of Romania, Klaus Iohannis, will pay an official visit to the United Arab Emirates from March 18-21, 2023, at the invitation of the President of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan. Development of Romania’s relations with the states of the Gulf region represents an important objective of our country’s foreign policy, considering the solid tradition of bilateral relations, the impact of current global developments on the strategic interests of both parties, but also a series of pragmatic objectives regarding the joint development of some sectoral projects with states from this region”, it is stated in a press release sent by the Presidential Administration.

According to the quoted source, the priority given by Romania to these relations is also included in the new directions of global action of the European Union, which provide for the development of a strategic partnership between the EU and the Gulf area.

“These directions of action were amply reflected by the adoption of a joint EU Communication, on May 18, 2022, intended for this new strategic approach, a document to the elaboration of which Romania made its own active contribution. In this global, European and regional context in evolution, the official visit of the President of Romania to the United Arab Emirates is part of the very good dynamics of the Romanian-Emirati bilateral dialogue at all levels, from the last period, and reflects the solidity and complexity of the bilateral relationship. The United Arab Emirates continues to represent one of the most important partners from the region, being the first commercial partner of our country in the Gulf area, Romania pursuing the development of an in-depth partnership in all areas of common interest”, mentions the Presidential Administration.

The objectives of Iohannis’ visit to Dubai

The main objectives of the visit are: deepening the political-diplomatic dialogue on topics of maximum interest for both parties, boosting economic relations between the two states, which are already on a significant upward trend, attracting investments in the Romanian economy through projects in the field of infrastructure and energy , combating climate change, in the field of cyber security and food security, the diversification of direct sectoral contacts, in these priority areas and in others with emerging potential (education, research and innovation, culture, inter-human contacts, etc.), so that they further deepen the political and economic dialogue.

“The meetings on the occasion of the visit will set the concrete guidelines for intensifying the activity of the Cooperation Commission between the Government of Romania and the Government of the United Arab Emirates, which will be organized in the second part of the year, in Bucharest. This specific format for relations between Romania and the United Arab Emirates takes shape in continued as one of the main bilateral instruments for stimulating economic and multi-sector cooperation and also represents a useful platform for governmental and business dialogue”, states the quoted source.

On the occasion of the official visit to the United Arab Emirates, the head of state will have meetings with the president of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, and with the vice-president and prime minister of the UAE, the ruler of the Emirate of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The official visit of President Klaus Iohannis to the United Arab Emirates is Romania’s first presidential visit to this country in the last 20 years,” the statement said.

The two presidents will evaluate the concrete possibilities to energize and strengthen the sectoral aspects of bilateral cooperation, in areas of major importance for the two states, namely economic, commercial, energy, IT&C, cyber security, agriculture and food security, education, environment, situations emergency.

Cooperation in the fight against climate change will be a separate topic on the discussion agenda, considering the priorities of the President of Romania in this field and the role of the United Arab Emirates as the host of the future Conference of the Parties on climate change (COP28), adds the Presidential Administration.

Iohannis, visiting Masdar City

Several bilateral documents will be signed by relevant Romanian ministers and officials in the field of energy, cyber security and education, and during the discussions special attention will be paid to topics of common interest, such as developments in the Middle East, especially those with a direct impact on security in the vicinity of the EU and NATO.

Also, the President of Romania will present the developments related to the Russian Federation’s war of aggression against Ukraine, its regional and global consequences and will promote the provision of sustained support for Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova.

“The President of Romania will pay a visit to Masdar City, a project that aims to generate modern solutions regarding energy security, climate change and sustainable development. The Masdar project contains research spaces for the development of environmental technologies and investments for their commercialization and implementation and hosts, at the same time, an ecological city that combines these fields, allowing the testing of innovative ideas”, the press release states.