Abu Dhabi: The Cabinet on Sunday approved setting up a permanent UAE mission to the European Union in Brussels. The move is in line with the UAE’s efforts and keenness to bolster its relations with the EU to serve mutual interests and further strengthen friendly relations.
The approval came during a Cabinet meeting held at the Presidential Palace chaired by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, and Lieutenant General Shaikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, were present.
The Cabinet also approved setting up a UAE embassy in Yerevan, Armenia, as well as the reopening of the UAE embassy in Mogadishu, Somalia.
Shaikh Mohammad praised the directives of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, which aim to bolster relations with various countries around the world to serve the interests of the UAE and the ambitions of its people.
Shaikh Mohammad said that these directives also serve to enhance the UAE’s influence, and further consolidates its position as a leading model for development as well as a key player in spreading peace, tolerance and dialogue.
“The UAE’s distinguished and balanced diplomacy is derived from the values of our founding fathers, and makes it capable of producing and presenting ideas and solutions at international events,” said Shaikh Mohammad. He stressed that the UAE’s foreign relations are a matter of utmost importance, as reflected by the attention given to the UAE embassies abroad and its diplomatic corps. Shaikh Mohammad added that such efforts include the signing of international treaties that serve the UAE’s approach, and enhances its standing on the world map in all fields.
The Cabinet endorsed civil aviation agreements with Paraguay and Swaziland, as well as an agreement that exempts holders of Serbian diplomatic passports from entry visa requirements.
The Cabinet also gave the green light for the Federal National Council’s proposal to discuss “UAE-related reports issued by international organisations”. The topic focuses on annual reports issued by public and private international organisations pertaining to worldwide rankings that are based on indicators in the field of investment, human development, investment climate, and competitiveness.
The Cabinet’s approval indicates the important role played by these international reports in reflecting the UAE’s image and standing in the international stage, as well as their effect on strategies pertaining to the economy, social, medical and environment sector in the country.
The Cabinet also endorsed Emirates Transport and Emirates Real Estate Corporation financial reports for 2012.
