European Parliament President Roberta Metsola hails diplomatic milestone on first UAE visit
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola has spoken of a "new chapter of EU- UAE relations" defined by peace and prosperity in an address to the Federal National Council in Abu Dhabi.
Ms Metsola, on the first official visit to the Gulf region by a sitting European Parliament president, called for a diplomatic solution to the regional crisis during the landmark UAE–European meeting hosted by FNC Speaker Saqr Ghobash. "Very few times in living memories has the world felt so unpredictable," Ms Metsola said.
Her visit marks a significant step forward in the growing diplomatic and strategic relations between UAE and European Union, especially as discussions advance on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.
High on the agenda is the 18th regular meeting of parliamentary heads from the Gulf Co-operation Council, with Ms Metsola joining the discussions to explore new opportunities for collaboration between the GCC and the EU.
Having received an official invitation from the FNC, her visit also comes at a pivotal moment in UAE–EU relations and only days after Washington joined Israel in attacking nuclear sites in Iran, as the war in Gaza continues to rage.
Supporting a two-state solution to the Israeli Palestinian conflict, Ms Metsola said on Monday: "We continue to push for a ceasefire and humanitarian aid to reach those who are suffering [in Gaza ] ... and the return of hostages."
The first EU-GCC summit, held in Brussels last year, was "a real turning point", Ms Metsola said, concluding her speech with a sense of hope regarding the growing EU-UAE partnership, "which has never mattered more". She added: "The UAE is always looking to the future".
For his part, Mr Ghobash reflected on the deepening partnership between the UAE and Europe in his opening speech.
As part of her broader visit, Ms Metsola is expected to take part in meetings aimed at exchanging expertise and exploring co-ordination across regional and international parliamentary forums.
This follows recent talks at FNC headquarters between Mr Ghobash and Pasquale Tridico, chairman of the European Parliament's tax subcommittee, which focused on enhancing collaboration and sharing policy insights.
Monday's gathering brought together senior UAE ministers, EU diplomats and senior officials for an open dialogue focused on enhancing parliamentary co-operation and fostering alignment on key regional and global issues.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al Etihad
38 minutes ago
- Al Etihad
FNC hosts meeting of GCC Legislative Councils, European Parliament President in Abu Dhabi
23 June 2025 20:21 ABU DHABI (WAM) The Federal National Council (FNC), chaired by Saqr Ghobash, Speaker of FNC and President of the 18th Regular Meeting of the Speakers of GCC Legislative Councils, hosted a high-level meeting on Monday with Roberta Metsola, President of the European gathering took place at Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi, bringing together the heads of the Gulf Cooperation Council's legislative meeting was attended by Ahmed bin Salman Al-Musallam, Speaker of the Council of Representatives of the Kingdom of Bahrain; Sheikh Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al Al-Sheikh, Speaker of the Shura Council of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Khalid Hilal Al Maawali, Chairman of the Shura Council of the Sultanate of Oman; Yousef bin Ali Al-Khater, Chairman of the Internal and External Affairs Committee of the Shura Council of Qatar, and Jassim Mohammed Al Budaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).In his opening remarks, FNC Speaker stated that this meeting represents a milestone in the evolution of Gulf–European parliamentary relations. It reflects a shared understanding of the need to deepen institutional dialogue, broaden avenues for coordination, and solidify channels of consultation between parliamentary institutions, which now serve as key bridges of understanding between the peoples of the GCC and also emphasised that ties between the GCC states and Europe stretch across various historical phases and have taken multiple forms, rooted first in trade, maritime routes, and knowledge exchange, and now expanded into contemporary partnerships across the economic, security, political, cultural, and social spheres. These relations, he noted, are the fruit of mutual awareness and a genuine appreciation for each party's regional and international added that GCC–European relations took on greater clarity and depth with the establishment of the GCC, through which its member states have sought to strengthen relations with the European Union, recognising the EU as a major player in the international order and a source of advanced institutional experience. Conversely, Europe has come to recognise the Gulf region as a promoter of moderation in global politics and a key contributor to regional and international her part, Metsola expressed her gratitude to the UAE for the warm welcome, openness, and commitment shown in hosting this historic meeting.'We gather at a time when the security situation in the Middle East remains deeply concerning,' she stated. 'I commend your concrete commitments to peace and stability, both within the region and beyond. Your countries have hosted ceasefire negotiations in several conflicts, and we are partners in confronting terrorist attacks, combating maritime piracy, and choosing the path of diplomacy.''In this context,' she added, 'the partnership between the European Union and the GCC is not only essential but strategic.'Al Budaiwi delivered a speech in which he expressed his appreciation to President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, for his steadfast support for GCC unity and for hosting this important meeting. He also extended his gratitude to Saqr Ghobash for his initiative in convening the session, emphasising the significance of continued high-level visits and dialogue between the two sides.
The National
39 minutes ago
- The National
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid leads tributes to Emirati philanthropist
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, on Monday led tributes to Mohammed Ibrahim Obaidullah, an Emirati businessman who was known for his charitable work. A founder member of the Beit Al Khair Society, a leading charity in the Emirates set up by a group of businessmen in 1989 to care for people in need, Mr Obaidullah's legacy was hailed by the Dubai Ruler. 'May God have mercy on Mohammed Ibrahim Obaidullah, one of the loyal men of the Emirates, and a businessman,' Sheikh Mohammed wrote on X. 'What distinguished him from others were his charitable works, his history in the field of humanitarian work, especially the establishment of hospitals and health centres, the construction of mosques, and his charitable projects inside and outside the country. 'The body is gone, but the goodness, the influence, the good reputation, and the prayers of the people remain. His trade with his Lord and with the people was profitable. May God have mercy on him and grant him a place in Paradise and inspire his family and relatives with patience and solace.' Dr Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to President Sheikh Mohamed, also joined in paying tribute to Mr Obaidullah. 'My sincere condolences to the honourable Obaidullah family on the passing of our neighbour and honourable man, the late Mohammed Ibrahim Obaidullah, who was known for his outreach, charitable initiatives, and noble character,' he wrote on X. 'We ask God to have mercy on him and grant him Paradise, and to inspire his family and relatives with patience and solace.'
The National
40 minutes ago
- The National
How UK-Gulf free-trade agreement could transform global commerce
No obstacles are in the way of the UK and GCC negotiations for a free-trade agreement, according to Britain's chief negotiator who said the two sides are "hard at work" on bringing the deal into place. Tom Wintle was speaking at the Arab-British Economic Summit in London on Monday. Three years of deliberations have convinced Tim Reid, chief executive of UK Export Finance, that there are "real opportunities" for more UK collaboration with the Arab world. "There are lots of challenges in the world today, but forgive me, I'm going to focus principally on the opportunities," he told the event at the Hilton London Metropole. The region's big sporting events was one area where Britain could bring "expertise in clean growth and renewable energy", Mr Reid said. The agreement would send a "political signal" for both sides that there is trust in "valued partners". It would also make specific provisions for investors. An FTA would help to "reduce the administrative burden" for travel in both directions between the UK and the Gulf. A former Egyptian trade minister has said a new basis of commerce could lead to a wider transformation of the economic relationship. Khaled Hanafy, currently head of the Union of Arab Chambers, said mutual trust was needed to address the challenges of war, climate change and rapid digitalisation, 'towards a transformative model that focuses more innovation, sustainability and human capital". 'The future needs a different way of understanding, a different way of trust, a different way of mingling in the human capital between the two sides," Mr Hanafy added. "We are here today to say that we need to reconsider our economic relationship, to revisit the model." The event, which drew hundreds of businesspeople operating between the UK and the Arab world, was mired in concerns over the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, which could disrupt trade and shipping routes in the Arabian Gulf. The UK has expressed support for the US's air strikes on Iran but Arab countries are wary of further escalation. Though trade from Arab countries with the UK has reached a about £72 billion ($97 billion), the political uncertainty in the Middle East signals the need for a different model, Mr Hanafy said. 'In our region, in the Arab countries, we believe that we have to change the [economic] model of dealing with others, specifically with the UK,' he said. 'We should not keep just focusing on targeting each other's market. This is the past. The future is different and the last few weeks have shown that we need to do something different. 'We are facing challenges … facing geopolitical realignments that might affect everybody and everybody's business as well."
