Emirates hosts E3 Group representatives

H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, has received representatives from the E3 Group of France, Germany, and the UK, where they discussed regional developments, issues of common interest, and ways to enhance joint action between the UAE and the European trio to maintain international peace and security.

Sheikh Abdullah received Philip Ierrera, Director-General for Political and Security Affairs at the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Jens Plötner, Political Director, Federal Foreign Office, Germany; and Patrick Moody, the UK Ambassador to the UAE who attended on behalf of Thomas Drew, Director-General, Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.

During the meeting, which was held at the ministry’s general office in Abu Dhabi, the sides reviewed the developments on the COVID-19 variant and the international efforts to ensure the delivery of the vaccine to all countries.

The emergence of new strains of the coronavirus can pose a serious challenge to the health systems of all countries, especially the least developed ones. The priority for countries that already have some of the multiple vaccines created is to carry out a vaccination campaign as quickly as possible and within the time frame required for each vaccine.

Last week, WHO Regional Director for Europe Hans Kluge warned that "vaccine roll-outs are essential, first and foremost, to reduce severe disease in vulnerable groups, release the pressure on our hospitals and avoid the risk of our health systems collapsing".  

The new strains have been found in the UK, South Africa and Brazil. The first two are characterised by being up to 70% more contagious than the original strain. The virus has managed to develop in such a way that access to our cells is faster and more effective. They are no more lethal than the original virus, but by spreading faster, statistically they could kill more people. The characteristics of the third strain, the one found in Brazil, are still unknown, although the scientists who are analysing it believe it could be different from the other two.  

Los expertos aseguran que las vacunas actuales son igual de útiles para las nuevas cepas en tanto que la proteína a la que afecta la mutación no perjudica la composición de las vacunas desarrolladas. Un estudio realizado por investigadores de la Universidad de Texas asegura que la vacuna desarrollada por la farmacéutica Pfizer es eficaz contra las cepas encontradas en Reino Unido y Sudáfrica.  

Experts say that current vaccines are just as useful for new strains as the protein affected by the mutation does not harm the composition of the vaccines developed. A study by University of Texas researchers says the vaccine developed by Pfizer Pharmaceuticals is effective against the strains found in the UK and South Africa.   

For months, the United Arab Emirates has been contributing to the global distribution of the vaccine through initiatives such as the Hope Consortium, a public-private partnership that aims to transport the vaccines under appropriate conditions. This makes it possible for countries that do not have the refrigeration technology to keep some vaccines like Pfizer's, which need to be stored in ultra-cold (down to -80°C), to do so.  

The vaccination campaign carried out by the Emirates is one of the fastest. Together with Bahrain, they lead the world in vaccination rates, surpassed only by Israel. Until last weekend, the UAE had vaccinated 10.32 per cent of its population.

Sheikh Abdullah welcomed the visit of the E3 representatives, stressing the distinguished relations between the UAE and France, Germany and Britain. His Highness stated that achieving regional and global stability and security would contribute to opening new horizons for relations and strengthening cooperation between countries to meet the aspirations of their peoples.