A Federal National Council, FNC, Parliamentary Group delegation, headed by Abdul Aziz Al Zaabi, Second Deputy Speaker of the FNC, today met with Antonio Lopez-Isturiz White, President of the UAE-EU Parliamentary Friendship Group, at the headquarters of the European Parliament in Brussels.

The UAE delegation included Hamad Abdullah Al Ghafli, Dr. Saeed Al Mutawa, Saeed Saleh Al Rumaithi, Azza Sulaiman bin Sulaiman, and Matar Suhail Al Dhaheri.

During the meeting, the participants discussed the means of strengthening the co-operation and partnership between the UAE and European Union, EU, member countries in various sectors, as well as the latest developments in the region and their effects on international security and peace, and the efforts to combat terrorism and extremism.

Both sides presented their updates on the situation in the region and the importance of supporting stability in the Middle East, as well as the UAE’s humanitarian efforts and its rescue aid provided to various communities around the world to counter the effects of natural disasters and war, which contributed to easing the suffering of refugees and those displaced.

The participants highlighted the key role of both parliamentary institutions in advancing their level of co-operation and friendship while stressing the importance of the visit in discussing many issues. An expanded meeting will also be held tomorrow with the chair and other members of the European Parliament on its relations with the Arab Peninsula.

Al Zaabi emphasized the exceptional co-operation, friendship and partnership relations between the UAE and EU countries in the various areas, especially in the political, economic, social, cultural and tourism sectors, in light of the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the UAE’s desire to strengthen its relations with various countries and international communities.

He also acknowledged the meeting’s importance in strengthening the strategic partnership between both parliamentary institutions, which will further develop their relations and help to connect their points of view.

Lopez-Isturiz White welcomed the UAE delegation to the European Parliament while praising the effective roles of the FNC and the UAE-EU Parliamentary Friendship Group.

He stressed that the UAE is an important strategic partner of EU member countries and the European Parliament while expressing the aspiration of the EU to further co-operate and work with the UAE in various areas. He also praised the UAE’s efforts to achieve gender equality and overall women’s empowerment.

He again highlighted the importance of the existing relations between the UAE and the EU, as well as their mutual diplomatic visits to discuss many issues of common interest.

He also noted that a delegation from the European Parliament, including the UAE-EU Parliamentary Friendship Group and two deputy presidents, will visit the UAE at the end of October, to strengthen its friendship and co-operation with the FNC.