The European Union and the United Arab Emirates have agreed to launch negotiations on a free trade agreement, following a phone call between European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The initiative aims to enhance trade relations and could strengthen ties between the EU and the Gulf Cooperation Council through broader strategic partnerships.
The negotiations will focus on liberalizing trade in goods, services, and investment while fostering cooperation in key sectors such as renewable energy, green hydrogen, and critical raw materials. The European Commission emphasized that the agreement would not only deepen EU-UAE economic relations but also support regional prosperity.
