FNC Speaker enhances UAE ties with Romania and Pakistan in Baku

Strengthening UAE–Romania relations

During the meeting, Ghobash highlighted the close and growing ties between the UAE and Romania, founded on mutual respect, shared interests, and a joint vision to enhance strategic cooperation across multiple sectors.

He noted the strong momentum in UAE–Romania relations, especially after the official visit of Romania’s former Prime Minister to the UAE in April 2024, which opened new avenues for partnership in energy, investment, innovation, and food security.

Enhancing parliamentary diplomacy

Ghobash emphasized the FNC’s commitment to enhancing parliamentary dialogue and coordination and strengthening parliamentary diplomacy as a key pillar of bilateral relations. He proposed revitalizing the UAE–Romania Parliamentary Friendship Committee through regular exchanges and cooperation between specialized committees.

He also underscored the importance of collaboration within the European Parliament, highlighting Romania’s active role in EU institutions as a bridge to boost UAE–EU relations.

Expanding future cooperation

Looking ahead, Ghobash pointed to promising areas of cooperation, including renewable energy, green hydrogen, food security, advanced technologies, maritime transport, and artificial intelligence. He welcomed the establishment of the UAE–Romanian Business Council as a platform to enhance private-sector collaboration.

He further noted Romania’s potential role in supporting the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the UAE and the European Union and invited Abrudean to visit the UAE to continue discussions and explore new opportunities.

Abrudean praised the progress in UAE–Romania relations, particularly in the parliamentary sphere, affirming that continued dialogue and cooperation will strengthen mutual interests.

Meeting with Pakistani Senate Chairman

In a separate meeting, Ghobash met with Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, Chairman of the Senate of Pakistan. Both sides reaffirmed the deep-rooted historic ties between the UAE and Pakistan, established by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and highlighted their ongoing growth based on mutual respect and shared aspirations.

They commended the expanding parliamentary cooperation between the FNC and Pakistan’s Senate and emphasized the importance of the UAE–Pakistan Parliamentary Friendship Committee in promoting expertise exchange, coordination, and unified positions on shared issues.

Promoting economic and investment cooperation

Ghobash and Gilani expressed optimism that strong parliamentary relations would further boost economic and investment cooperation, noting that the UAE is one of Pakistan’s leading investors and trading partners in the Middle East and Africa, with bilateral trade reaching US$10.9 billion in 2024.

Gilani reaffirmed the Pakistani Senate’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with the UAE at all levels, advancing the strategic partnership between the two friendly nations and their parliaments.