Emirates:
The first Political Consultation Committee between the UAE Ministry of Foreign
Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC) and the Ministry for Foreign
Affairs of the Republic of Finland took place recently, at the headquarters of
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in Abu Dhabi.
Non-oil bilateral trade between the UAE and Finland increased 9.5 per cent
between 2020 and 2021. It is now $274.7 million in total. The UAE has maintained
diplomatic relations with Finland since 1975.
The meeting was chaired by Ambassador Lana Zaki Nusseibeh, Assistant Minister of
Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for Political Affairs and UAE
Permanent Representative to the United Nations, and Kai Sauer, Under-Secretary
of State, Foreign and Security Policy, in the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of
Finland.
They reviewed the bilateral relationship and discussed opportunities to enhance
ties through collaboration on shared interests, including economic development,
technology, climate change, and international peace and mediation.
The parties agreed on specific steps to bolster and expand trade and economic
relations, including opportunities to deepen business-to-business ties and
foster entrepreneurship. Both countries confirmed their shared commitment to
addressing the challenge of climate change and to advancing climate security.
They discussed concrete initiatives to cooperate on those issues in the run-up
to COP28, which the UAE will host in Dubai in 2023 in Expo city Dubai The
Committee reviewed the global political situation, including the latest regional
developments in the Middle East and Europe.
Both countries expressed their shared commitment to the peaceful resolution of
conflicts and the role that regional and international organisations can play in
that regard. They concluded by emphasising the importance of concrete,
actionable outcomes to their consultations and a continual review process to
ensure agreed targets are met.
Meanwhile the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC)
and the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) have signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) to promote cooperation in attracting foreign investments and
capacity building.
Both entities agreed to strengthen the UAE’s profile as an ideal destination for
trade and investment, principally by enhancing the efforts of UAE missions
abroad to promote and facilitate investment opportunities within the UAE.
The MoU sets out a framework for MoFAIC to facilitate trade and investment
meetings through its diplomatic missions abroad, engage in information exchange,
and develop the capabilities of the diplomatic corps in the field of investment
and trade promotion.
ADIO also pledged to engage in a series of workshops dedicated to Emirati
diplomats, with cooperation from UAE stakeholders and entities, to provide an
overview of Abu Dhabi’s investment environment and priority industry sectors.
Dr. Abdulnasser Alshaali, UAE Ambassador to the Republic of India, said, “This
MoU comes at a crucial time, bringing together MoFAIC and leading investment
promotion entities within the UAE to support the UAE’s economic diplomacy
objectives. This MoU will enable Emirati diplomats to draw upon the networks and
experiences of ADIO to strengthen their trade and investment promotion
skillsets, as well as increase their knowledge of the UAE’s business
environment. I strongly believe that this MoU will deepen the strategic
partnership with ADIO and MoFAIC, ultimately enhancing the capabilities of UAE
missions abroad.”
Abdulla Al Shamsi, Acting Director General of ADIO, welcomed the initiative and
said, “ADIO is excited to build on our partnership with MoFAIC by working
together to further strengthen Abu Dhabi’s position as a top business
destination for companies from around the world.
Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, UAE Minister of State, and Matti Anttonen, Permanent State
Secretary for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland, earlier convened a
virtual meeting of the UAE-Finland Joint Committee. During the meeting, both
sides discussed foreign policy issues of interest to both countries.
In his remarks, Al Sayegh affirmed the strength of the two countries’ bilateral
relationship and underscored the growing cooperation that the UAE and Finland
have enjoyed over the years, including increased economic and cultural
cooperation between the two countries since the establishment of diplomatic
relations in 1975.
“The convening of the inaugural meeting of the UAE-Finland Joint Committee is a
distinguished step forward in advancing bilateral cooperation and coordination
between our governments. The UAE considers Finland an important partner in
trade, economic exchange, and tourism, and we look forward to expanding shared
opportunities for growth and prosperity through the activities of the Joint
Committee,” Al Sayegh stated.