EUROPEAN UNION UAE

The EU and the UAE have developed a diplomatic relationship centered on common political and regional interests. The EU opened a Delegation in Abu Dhabi in the second half of 2013 as a testimony to its commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation. The UAE also hosts the embassies of 22 EU countries. Relations with the EU previously existed under the 1988 EU-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Cooperation Agreement, a region to region relationship with the countries of the GCC.

The EU and the UAE have a joint interest in ensuring stability in the Middle Eastern region. The UAE has been increasingly active on the regional and global scene, proving to be a solid and reliable partner for the EU in several fields, including counter-terrorism, energy, environment, climate change, non-proliferation and economic dialogue.

EU-UAE cooperation on counter-terrorism has progressed considerably in recent years, particularly through an agreement to hold annual political counter-terrorism dialogue sessions. The UAE also hosts the Hedayah Countering Violent Extremism Centre in Abu Dhabi, of which the EU is one of the eight board members.

In addition, the UAE has been hosting a regional secretariat of the European Union Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear threats (CBRN) Centers of Excellence for risk mitigation since June 2014. This initiative is funded by the European Instrument for Stability and aims at developing, nationally and regionally, the institutional capacity needed to fight CBRN risks.

On maritime security, the EU has spearheaded international efforts in the Indian Ocean to contain and deter piracy and has shared interest in the Horn of Africa and in the safety of shipping lines which has led to closer EU-UAE cooperation.