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18:59 GMT
EU High Representative Federica Mogherini and the United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan
BRUSSELS, Jan 31 (KUNA) -- EU High Representative Federica Mogherini and the United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan signed a Cooperation Arrangement in Brussels Wednesday.
"This Cooperation Agreement scales up the relation between the EU and the UAE through an intensification of political dialogue and strengthened cooperation on key strategic issues of mutual interest, notably trade facilitation and research," Mogherini's office said in a press release.
These are key areas to accompany the UAE's Vision 2021 plans to boost growth, accelerate economic diversification and shift towards a knowledge-based society, it noted.
In addition to bilateral relations, the two sides also discussed the latest developments in the region, including Yemen, Iran, Syria, the Middle East Peace Process and Libya.
The situation in the Sahel was also raised and Mogherini welcomed the UAE's announced pledge of EUR 30 million to the Sahel Joint Force, also in view of the High Level International Conference on the Sahel to be held on February 23 in Brussels, it added. (end)
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