Lisbon: The United Arab Emirates and Portugal have embarked on their first round of Political Consultations in Lisbon, a significant event led by UAE's Minister of State, Lana Nusseibeh, and Portugal's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Dr. Ana Isabel Xavier. This important meeting coincides with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations, marking a milestone in their bilateral relationship.
According to Emirates News Agency, the consultations focused on expanding cooperation across several critical areas, including political dialogue, trade and investment, energy, defense, and cultural exchanges. Both countries emphasized the importance of enhancing economic cooperation, particularly in the context of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the UAE and the European Union. The UAE, being the EU's largest trading partner in the Gulf, views the CEPA as a gateway to significant mutual benefits.
The discussions also traversed key political and security developments within Europe and the Middle East. Both nations underscored the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in fostering peace, stability, and sustainable development. They advocated for efforts aimed at de-escalation and conflict resolution through peaceful means to bolster regional stability.
Furthermore, the parties exchanged views on multilateral cooperation, highlighting Portugal's upcoming term on the United Nations Security Council for 2027-28, and shared insights from the UAE's recent tenure. The alignment of their priorities was welcomed, with commitments to advance conflict prevention, protect civilians, and enhance maritime security, including oceanic safety. The discussions also stressed the importance of strengthening partnerships and coordination within the United Nations and other multilateral frameworks.
The UAE delegation included Ahmad al Mahmoud, UAE Ambassador to Portugal, and Ghasaq Shaheen, Deputy Permanent Representative of the UAE to the United Nations, who contributed to the discussions aimed at reinforcing the strategic relationship between the UAE and Portugal.
