The visit of Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko to the United Arab Emirates at the beginning of this year was an important stage in Belarus-UAE cooperation, Belarus' Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko said at a reception on 23 November to mark the 52nd anniversary of the UAE founding, BelTA reports.

“During a fruitful meeting with President of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, key strategies to expand cooperation in the near future were discussed,” noted Roman Golovchenko.

In furtherance of the agreements reached, Abu Dhabi hosted the sixth meeting of the intergovernmental committee on cooperation in June 2023.

Serious progress has been achieved in such key areas as trade and investment, agriculture, simplification of procedures for food supplies to the UAE, interaction in education and personnel training.

According to the prime minister, the work on the legal framework for cooperation is in progress. “An agreement on the mutual recognition of driver's licenses has been signed, substantive work has begun on an agreement on free trade in services and on investments. Cooperation in defense and security has made progress, too,” the head of government said.

Roman Golovchenko also drew attention to the consistent upward dynamics in bilateral trade this year. “It is necessary to keep working to further increase trade, and to expand contacts between businesses and government agencies of the two countries. Belarus welcomes and supports the intention of the United Arab Emirates to strengthen cooperation with the Eurasian Economic Union. In 2023, the Eurasian Economic Union, its member states and the United Arab Emirates embarked on talks on a draft economic partnership agreement. I am confident that the prompt signing of this important document will advance our trade and economic cooperation to a new level,” the prime minister remarked.

Roman Golovchenko noted that the Republic of Belarus shares the principles of the Year of Sustainability initiative of the United Arab Emirates - to take immediate action to preserve the planet, its natural resources, cultural heritage and national identity of peoples.

“We applaud the United Arab Emirates for its tremendous efforts to organize the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. Belarus will send a high-level delegation to the Conference and make a meaningful contribution to its work that will have an impact on the future of the whole world,” he emphasized.

Roman Golovchenko wished the friendly nation of the United Arab Emirates peace, prosperity, and further progress.