UAE leaders congratulate Governor-General of Bahamas on Independence Day
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, dispatched similar messages to the Governor-General and to Prime Minister Philip Edward Davis.
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The National
5 hours ago
- The National
Armenia and Azerbaijan have taken a new route in their quest for peace
Political scientists and wider civil society from Armenia and Azerbaijan don't often see eye to eye. After decades of war between the two countries their grievances run deep, with each side blaming the other for continued rounds of conflict. But experts in Yerevan and Baku can now agree on one thing: the meeting held in Abu Dhabi on July 10 between their heads of government was a moment of respite for the South Caucasus. After months without a major meeting between the two sides (the leaders met briefly at the margins of the European Political Community summit in Tirana in May), Abu Dhabi was able to host their most comprehensive gathering in known history, attended by representatives who cover all key aspects of the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process. Still, expectations should be managed. The two sides may yet be very far from signing a peace agreement, though a draft was announced earlier this year. There are thorny issues, like border demarcation, that remain unresolved. And there are competing visions for how the future of transport links should evolve. Nonetheless, the Abu Dhabi meeting has revived the diplomatic track, giving new hope for peace and stability, while calming fears of an imminent outbreak of war. The risk of military escalation has come down considerably; as recently as December, foreign diplomats in Yerevan predicted that a war between Armenia and Azerbaijan would likely take place by summer. But Abu Dhabi changed the atmospherics and the overall direction of talks. The risk of military escalation has come down considerably At a joint dialogue last weekend, Azerbaijani, Armenian and Turkish think-tank experts discussed the impact of the Abu Dhabi dialogue. 'There is comfort with the UAE as a benign, trusted facilitator,' reflected one attendee, Ahmad Alili of the Caucasus Policy Analysis Centre in Baku. 'It was quite a good start and creates a new precedent for bilateral talks.' One notable shift was the idea that the road to peace now could run through the global south, rather than the traditional interlocutors in Russisa and the West. Starting in the 1990s, the peace process had been jointly managed by Washington, Moscow and Paris as co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group. The arrangement reflected an idealistic notion that gained popularity after the collapse of the USSR that Russia and the West could collaborate to solve problems in the former Soviet republics. But a new era of intense competition between the US and Russia derailed such thinking. The animosity accompanying the war in Ukraine, in particular, has cast a shadow over the South Caucasus, too. Washington has worked to expand its influence in Armenia and push out Russian influence wherever it could. The US and Russia are hardly able to talk to each other; co-hosting diplomatic initiatives between Armenia and Azerbaijan appears to be out of the question. Instead, the two superpowers have launched parallel and often contradictory negotiation tracks, jostling for the opportunity to broker a landmark deal that would invariably be shaped to their liking. For Russia, it would be a deal that gave Moscow privileged influence over new transit routes and border crossings between Armenia and Azerbaijan – if their currently sealed border were to re-open. The US, in contrast, would want to shape a deal that minimises Russia's role in the region across multiple spheres. That would include much less reliance in Armenia on the Russian troops patrolling its borders with Iran and Turkey, as well as the Russian military base that has been in the country since the 1940s to maintain peace and stability. Were it to oversee a peace deal between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which would also likely unfreeze relations between Armenia and Turkey, Washington would shape a new regional order in Russia's backyard. That setup would seamlessly connect Europe and Turkey, a Nato ally, to Central Asia. These are the stakes in an Armenia-Azerbaijan peace deal, and they illustrate the extent to which the South Caucasus could see a step change in any deal – even one brokered without superpower involvement. Stability begets development, and with a much-needed calm in the South Caucasus the peace dividend would be significant. Over time, trade routes that run from East-to-West and North-to-South could shorten transit times across key geographies. After the recent turbulence and conflict dynamics in Iran, this would provide the region with an undergirding of stability. The talks in Abu Dhabi were also a remarkable first for direct diplomacy. It was the first major public meeting in which Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan engaged in extended one-on-one talks, without Russians, Americans or any other third-country nationals in the room. This was a key demand for Azerbaijan, which has long wanted to deal with its neighbour on a bilateral basis. This may favour Baku given the imbalance of power between the two states – Baku has far greater military and energy resources to hand – but Armenia still benefits from the process. Yerevan is much better off with direct talks than with a complete break in the peace process, as it staves off the steep cost of armed conflict. Short-term success in the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process may be elusive. One of Azerbaijan's preconditions for signing a deal has been a change in the text of Armenia's constitution, eliminating references to the Armenian declaration of independence adopted in 1990. That would require a public referendum that could take place in June 2026, at the earliest, when a government panel is expected to submit a draft for a new constitution. But there could be flexibility around even this sticking point. Having a revived process is already a major step forward, enabling parties to craft new solutions to their old concerns. During a press conference in Yerevan on Wednesday, Mr Pashinyan mentioned that the preliminary signing of a peace agreement was discussed in Abu Dhabi. This reinforces that the meeting has put the peace process on stronger footing. Holding talks in the light of Abu Dhabi makes it more likely that Armenia and Azerbaijan will find their way forward, as it highlights the opportunity that lies ahead if they can prioritise the future over the past. Global powers interested in the development of the South Caucasus should continue to deliver a clear message: stability will bring prosperity to Armenia and Azerbaijan, and the time for military escalation is over. Armenia has shown its willingness to make steep concessions for the sake of peace. Azerbaijan should be satisfied by its victories in 2020 and 2023, pivot toward an orientation toward peace and use this unique opportunity to turn the page on the animosity in the South Caucasus.
Khaleej Times
8 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
UAE, Turkey sign 7 bilateral agreements during Sheikh Mohamed's visit
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan paid a state visit to Turkey on the occasion of the first meeting of the Supreme Strategic Committee between the two countries, which was held in Ankara on July 16. The meeting of the Supreme Strategic Committee reflected the commitment of both countries to strengthening bilateral relations and expanding close cooperation in various areas of common interest. Seven bilateral agreements and memoranda of understanding were signed during this visit, an official statement said. The discussions covered several areas of cooperation that have witnessed rapid growth in recent years, including the economy, trade, defense, innovation, cybersecurity, industry, technology, education, culture, energy, including renewable energy, environment, transportation, infrastructure, agriculture, and tourism. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. Within the framework of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, and based on bilateral economic, trade, and investment mechanisms, including the Joint Economic Committee and the Joint Economic and Trade Committee, the two sides discussed ways to enhance investment and trade exchanges, including exploring opportunities to establish integrated and flexible trade routes, in addition to exploring areas of cooperation to promote sustainable economic growth and provide facilities to support regional and international trade. They also exchanged views on enhancing cooperation between the public and private sectors in the two countries, with the aim of consolidating bilateral partnerships and supporting cooperation opportunities with other countries. Their commitment to enhancing cooperation in the energy sector was also renewed, emphasizing the pivotal role of sustainable, secure, and diversified energy resources in driving economic growth and enhancing the ability to adapt to climate change. They emphasized their shared aspirations to explore practical opportunities to support the energy transition process, in line with national priorities. In this regard, UAE and Turkey welcomed the global goal contained in paragraph (28) of the "Global Stocktake" outcomes adopted at the Conference of the Parties (COP28), which is to double the rate of improvement in global energy efficiency and triple the production capacity of renewable energy by 2030. They affirmed their keenness to contribute to achieving this goal through measures implemented at the national and bilateral levels. The two sides renewed their joint commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation based on mutual trust and friendly ties, especially in the fields of renewable energy and hydrocarbons, through the implementation of joint projects, to the benefit of both countries. They also emphasized the importance of the UN Water Conference 2026, hosted by the UAE in partnership with the Republic of Senegal, scheduled to be held in the UAE in December 2026. The conference highlights the importance of accelerating the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 6, to ensure access to water and sanitation for all and their sustainable management. The two sides also commended the Mohammed bin Zayed Water Initiative for its outstanding contributions to promoting technological innovation to address challenges related to water scarcity. The two sides emphasized the importance of maintaining the remarkable progress in bilateral relations, highlighting emerging and advanced technologies as a promising area for future cooperation. They also emphasized the importance of highlighting the pivotal and dynamic role of young, highly educated cadres in both countries in driving innovation, enhancing competitiveness, and promoting sustainable economic growth. Both sides reiterated their commitment to strengthening cooperation in the field of advanced digital technologies. The two leaders emphasized the importance of cooperation in cultural and social fields and agreed to enhance exchanges that contribute to strengthening the bonds of brotherhood between the Emirati and Turkish peoples. Both sides reiterated their commitment to enhancing cooperation in the fields of defense and security through capacity building and the exchange of expertise and knowledge. This historic visit marked a pivotal moment for discussing bilateral issues and regional developments. During the visit, both sides affirmed their shared commitment to working together to promote dialogue and the principles of international law, reflecting the two countries' role in supporting regional security, stability, and prosperity, thus contributing to an environment of peace, stability, security, and prosperity in the region. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler of Abu Dhabi, expressed his deep gratitude to the Turkish President, for the warm welcome he and his accompanying delegation received during their visit to Turkey. They agreed to hold the next meeting of the Supreme Strategic Committee in Abu Dhabi in 2026, with the date to be determined.
Khaleej Times
10 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Photos: UAE President Sheikh Mohamed visits 4 countries, meet leaders in just 2 days
In a remarkable diplomatic sprint, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan visited four countries in just two days — underscoring his relentless work ethic and the country's growing global engagement. From July 16 to 17, Sheikh Mohamed met leaders in Turkey, Albania, Serbia, and Hungary, sealing key agreements and expanding strategic partnerships across sectors including energy, trade, food security, and diplomacy. President Sheikh Mohamed's diplomatic tour began in Turkey, where he was welcomed at the Presidential Palace in Ankara by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. During this state visit, the two leaders oversaw the exchange of several major agreements aimed at strengthening cooperation between the UAE and Turkey. The deals included agreements on mutual protection of classified information, consular coordination, and investments in food, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, tourism, and hospitality industry, and even polar research. Swipe right to see the rest of the photos: Later the same day, the UAE President arrived in Tirana, Albania, where he held talks with Prime Minister Edi Rama. The two leaders discussed opportunities for collaboration in energy, technology, food security, and economic development. On July 17, the next stop was Belgrade, where Sheikh Mohamed met Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić. The leaders focused on boosting ties under their Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, which came into effect in May 2025. Talks centred around investment, economy, trade, technology, food security, and renewable energy. President Vučić described the visit as a strong signal of shared commitment to long-term cooperation, while Sheikh Mohamed reiterated the UAE's support for development-led diplomacy in the Balkans. On the same day, Sheikh Mohamed landed in Budapest for talks with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Discussions covered cooperation in infrastructure, renewable energy, and technology — with both leaders stressing mutual goals of stability and prosperity. During the visit, the UAE and Hungary announced a series of agreements covering a wide range of fields, including: The UAE President also toured the Hungarian Parliament Building, a symbol of the country's rich history and political heritage, and was later honoured at a state dinner hosted by Orbán and senior Hungarian officials. The state visits through four countries in just 48 hours reflects not only the UAE's expanding global footprint, but also Sheikh Mohamed's tireless commitment to his role. Known to work up to 18 hours a day, with annual leave reportedly never exceeding a single week, the UAE President exemplifies hands-on leadership — driven by a clear mission to strengthen partnerships, advance the Emirate's development goals.
