The United States and the Emirates launch a Strategic Dialogue to promote stability in the Middle East
The governments of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the United States have set in motion a Strategic Dialogue to develop a stable scenario in the Middle East, in the wake of the Abraham Agreements whereby the Emirate established diplomatic ties with the Jewish country, under US auspices, with the ultimate aim of working towards regional peace. The United States, headed by the secretary of state, Michael R. Pompeo, and the United Arab Emirates, headed by Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan, minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation, further developed bilateral ties and consolidated the strategic partnership between the two countries by launching a new Strategic Dialogue", as stated in the joint declaration issued by both states.
"The launch of the inaugural US-UAE Strategic Dialogue demonstrates the determination of the United Arab Emirates and the United States to advance efforts to promote regional stability and cooperation as partners in peace," the official statement added. It also states that "the Strategic Dialogue will cover a number of key areas, from political coordination and defence cooperation to economic and cultural exchange, with the overall aim of promoting mutual political interests, resolving regional problems, promoting tolerance and combating extremism.
"In recognition of the security partnership of the two countries, the Strategic Dialogue aims to underline the importance of defence coordination between the United States and the United Arab Emirates in deterring military threats through joint planning, training, exercises and equipment interoperability. The deepening and expansion of the defence and intelligence relationship is expected to enable the UAE to continue developing its security capabilities and the United States to continue playing an active role in regional security efforts... The Strategic Dialogue will promote cooperation in law enforcement and border security to combat criminal activity, as well as intelligence sharing between the United States and the UAE to counter extremism and strengthen multilateral partnerships that enhance international security," the text included.
"In addition, the Strategic Dialogue aims to support mutual prosperity through open trade and investment and increased collaboration in critical sectors such as medicine, life sciences, energy, agriculture, food security, logistics, aviation and artificial intelligence," the note added.
Meanwhile, as another proof of the great development of relations between the Emirates and Israel, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has announced that the citizens of the United Arab Emirates will soon be able to travel to the State of Israel without the need of a visa for a maximum of 90 days per visit. The waiver is part of the mutual visa waiver memorandum of understanding signed between the two countries which will come into force after ratification.
Omar Saif Ghobash, Deputy Minister of Culture and Public Diplomacy, signed on behalf of the United Arab Emirates, while Shlomo Mor-Yosef, Director General of the Population and Immigration Authority of the Israeli Ministry of the Interior, signed on behalf of Israel.
"The entry into force of the memorandum will allow holders of UAE passports to enter the State of Israel without a visa," said Ghobash, noting that this reflects the desire of both countries to strengthen the promising relations and opportunities for cooperation that await the two countries, as reflected in the statements issued by the official Emirati news agency WAM.
