The European Union and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have formally launched negotiations for a bilateral free trade agreement, opening the possibility of the first comprehensive EU trade deal in the Gulf region.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, first agreed to launch negotiations on a free trade agreement on 10 April. Today in Dubai, Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maroš Šefčovič and UAE Minister Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi reconfirmed the ambition to reach a commercially beneficial agreement and agreed on a roadmap, with substantive work set to begin as early as in June.
More information is available in a press release online