In the framework of a working visit to the United Arab Emirates, on December 7, 2020, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba held talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the UAE Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash, who is the Chairman of the Emirati part of the Intergovernmental Ukrainian-Emirati Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation.

Dmytro Kuleba became the first foreign guest since the beginning of the pandemic to be received with the solemn ceremony at the UAE War Memorial. The Minister expressed a special gratitude to Executive Director of the War Memorial Sheikh Khalifa bin Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan for this honor. The Foreign Minister of Ukraine paid tribute to the fallen Emirati soldiers and signed the memorial book.  

Dmytro Kuleba and Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan expressed their satisfaction with the dynamics and ambitious prospects of the bilateral cooperation.  

Dmytro Kuleba informed his colleague that, according to the research by the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, the United Arab Emirates is among the top 10 of the most attractive foreign markets for the Ukrainian exporters. He expressed satisfaction with the fact that Ukraine was included in the TOP-10 most promising partners of the UAE in ensuring food security.

“Our countries have a huge potential for cooperation. Now it is in our hands to make it a reality for the benefit of our peoples, companies and our two states in general”, stressed the Ukrainian Minister.

Dmytro Kuleba confirmed to his Emirati colleague an invitation to visit Ukraine, which was accepted with gratitude.

The Minister discussed with Anwar Gargash, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, the the issue of intensification of political consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the two countries.

The Sides exchanged views on regional issues of the foreign policy of Ukraine and the UAE. Dmytro Kuleba informed Anwar Gargash about the creation of the Crimea Platform.

The Head of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry also had a meeting with top management of Mubadala Investment Company - one of the world's largest investment funds.

During the visit, Dmytro Kuleba paid particular attention to the following topics:

— Interaction between Ukraine and the UAE at all levels including the highest;

— Role of Ukraine as a priority partner in guaranteeing the UAE food security;

— Cooperation between Ukraine and the UAE in the field of renewable energy;

— Development of trade both at the bilateral level and on the markets of the third countries.

The Minister also assured the Emirati Side of Ukraine’s active preparation for the EXPO-2020, which has been postponed to 2021-2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Minister congratulated the United Arab Emirates on the conclusion of the historical Israeli-Emirati peace treaty (The Abraham Accords) and noted that it opens up fundamentally new opportunities for multilateral cooperation.