Lisbon: Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister, headed the UAE delegation participating in the second ministerial meeting of the UAE-Portugal joint committee’s meeting in Lisbon on Monday.
The Portuguese delegation was headed by Paolo Portas, Portugal’s Deputy Prime Minister.
A number of memoranda of understanding and agreements were signed between the two countries. Memorandums were signed between the Emirates Diplomatic Academy and Portugal’s Diplomatic Institute, a memorandum on cooperation and encouraging exports was signed between Dubai Exports and Portugal Global Trade and Investment Agency, and another between the UAE Federal Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Portugal’s Businessmen’s Union
A draft MoU on tourism cooperation, letter of intent between the UAE’s Ministry of Higher Education and Portugal’s Ministry of Education and Science for the mutual accreditation of university degrees, in addition to an aviation services agreement, were also signed.
Portas pointed out the significance of the agreements and memorandums, which reflect the efforts exerted during the recent period as well as the success of bilateral meetings between the two nations.
Shaikh Abdullah expressed his pride in the UAE as one of the first Arab nations to be granted a Schengen visa waiver, and thanked Portugal for supporting the decision.
Portas presented to Shaikh Abdullah a Benfica Football Club jersey on the occasion of selecting Emirates airline as the official shirt sponsor of the club. Shaikh Abdullah later attended a banquet hosted by Portas in his honour.
Earlier in the day, Shaikh Abdullah was received by Portuguese President Anibal Cavaco Silva.
Shaikh Abdullah conveyed greetings from President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, to the Portuguese leader.
Silva reciprocated his greetings to Shaikh Khalifa, Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid, and Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed, wishing further progress and welfare to the UAE.
Shaikh Abdullah underscored the historic relations between the UAE and Portugal, and the importance of enhancing them and developing new channels of communication. He also emphasised the importance of translating the two countries leaderships’ keenness on enhancing bonds of friendship and building fruitful cooperation and investment partnership in the best economic interests in various fields.
They also exchanged views on issues of joint interest as well as the latest regional and international developments.
