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The UAE believes that the Arab League needs to be restructured to become a viable institution, and would like to increase the strength and interoperability of the GCC defense forces.
In October 2010, the UAE was granted observer status at the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie[1]
As a result of the foreign policy of the UAE, the Emirati passport became the largest individual climber in Henley & Partners Passport Index in 2018 over the past decade, increasing its global rank by 28 places.[2] According to the Henley Passport Index, as of 28 March 2019, Emirati citizens had visa-free or visa on arrival access to 165 countries and territories, ranking the Emirati passport 21st in the world in terms of travel freedom.[3]
In July 2024, The UAE and Japan signed multiple agreements to enhance business ties, including a $3 billion green financing deal and cooperation on energy reserves. Bilateral trade reached $47.4 billion in 2023, with the UAE as Japan’s top GCC trading partner and a major oil supplier.[4]
Diplomatic relations
List of countries which the United Arab Emirates maintains diplomatic relations with:
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 10 January 1972[15]
Since the establishment of The UAE in 1971, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates relations were always at a good level and developing at an unprecedented rate. The bond of friendship between the leaders of both countries has reflected on the growing political, economic and cultural ties between them, as a result, UAE ranks first among Arab and foreign countries investing in Egypt.[149] The UAE and Egypt maintain a close economic ties and maintain trade between the two countries with imports and exports between the two sides.
The UAE's strategic relationship with the United States dates back to the 1990 invasion of Kuwait. Subsequent to joining the military effort, the two countries signed an agreement in late 1992 permitting the United States to use some UAE bases temporarily and to pre-position supplies on UAE territory.[164] Since 25 July 1994, a formal Defense Cooperation Agreement has been in place.[165] Ten years later, despite publicly opposing the US led war in Iraq, the UAE permitted a minimal amount of US forces to support the operation from the Al Dhafra air base, Jebel Ali, and naval facilities at Fujairah. Enhancing security relations, has been a US arms sale in March 2000 to the Emirates, valued at $8 billion and included over $2 billion worth of weapons, munitions, and services.[166]
A nuclear deal was signed between the US and the UAE meant to supply nuclear technology, expertise and fuel. Despite international opposition to neighboring Iran's nuclear developments, the US is confident of the UAE's compliance with the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty and the International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards to refrain from enriching uranium and extracting plutonium.[167] It firmly believes this agreement "has the potential to usher in an era of responsible nuclear-energy development throughout the Middle East."[168]
Commercially, the UAE is also the States' largest export market in the Middle East constituting $11.6 billion in exports annually. In March 2005, the US opened negotiations on a free trade agreement and despite intermittent depreciation of currencies in the Persian Gulf area, the UAE dirham remains pegged to the dollar.[169] The two countries have also maintained close ties through an exchange of cultural and educational partnerships which include the Guggenheim Museum, and a number of American Universities opening campuses in the Emirates.[170]
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 1 November 1984[86]
Over the years, the relations between the UAE and China intensified, causing increasing issues with an important western ally, the US. From the Chinese technology to crude oil and to COVID-19 vaccine, the Emirates began to expand its reliance on China.[173] In 2021, the US raised multiple warnings for the Emirates to move back in its growing relations with China. The Biden administration pushed the Emirates to abandon Huawei's telecommunication network, which was a potential threat to a crucial deal of F-35 fighter jet and other military equipment between the UAE and US.[174] The US also warned the Emirates of a military facility that was secretly being built by China at a port near Abu Dhabi. The US intelligence warnings and multiple trips by the American officials to the UAE let to a halt in the construction of the facility.[175]
China has an embassy in Abu Dhabi and a consulate-general in Dubai.
The United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Beijing and consulates-general in Hong Kong and Shanghai.
The UAE and China have been strong international allies, with significant cooperation across economic, political and cultural aspects.[176][177][178][179]
UAE enjoys close economic and cultural relations with India. Close maritime contact between India and the Arabian Peninsula date back to 3rd and 2nd millennium BC.[180] and textile and spice trade between the two countries flourished during most of 1st millennium AD.[181]
The discovery of oil allowed the UAE to increase and diversify its trade relations with India. UAE and India are each other's main trading partners. The trade totals over $75 billion (AED275.25 billion).[182] During the first half of 2010, non-oil trade between India and the UAE stood at US$20.4 billion.[183] UAE is home to more than 3 million Indian expatriates, making Indians the largest ethnic group in the nation.[184]
India has an embassy in Abu Dhabi and a consulate-general in Dubai.
The United Arab Emirates has an embassy in New Delhi.
The diplomatic relations between Indonesia and United Arab Emirates are friendly and cordial since they were established in 1976. Both Muslim majority countries, they each recognize the other's important role its respective region. Indonesia has an embassy in Abu Dhabi, while the United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Jakarta. Both countries are partners in multilateral organizations, such as the World Trade Organization (WTO), The Non-Aligned Movement and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
Indonesia uses the UAE as the main gate to enter the Persian Gulf and Middle East market, Indonesia's export to UAE is the largest in the Middle East. Indonesian Government has established the trade and investment representative office to promote its products in United Arab Emirates and the entire Middle East region.
The 1990 Iraqi invasion and occupation of Kuwait were a shock to the UAE.[164] For the UAE, the crisis over Kuwait demonstrated a lack of Arab unity on a critical Arab issue.[164] The UAE joined the Arab states that opposed the Iraqi invasion and supported the use of force to compel Iraq's withdrawal of troops from Kuwait.[164] Prior to the 2003 invasion of Iraq, the UAE opposed the US-led invasion.
In June 2008, the Iraqi government announced that the United Arab Emirates would send an ambassador to Baghdad within a few days. This would become the first Arab ambassador in Iraq since the kidnapping and murder of the Egyptian Ambassador Ihab el-Sherif in July 2005. This announcement was made during a surprise visit by the United Arab Emirates' Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan to Baghdad on 5 June 2008. This marked the first time a high-ranking official from a Gulf state visited Iraq since March 2003.[186][187]
On 31 July 2007 following Iraq victory of the Asian Cup, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice-president and prime minister of the UAE awarded the Iraq national football team 20 million Dhs, ($5.2 million) for capturing the Asian Cup for the first time in the country's history.[188]
Israel has an embassy in Abu Dhabi and a consulate-general in Dubai.
The United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Tel Aviv.
The Abraham Agreement has opened a new window of opportunity for normalization between Israel and the UAE. However, some analysts, such as Salem Al Ketbi, reject "zero-sum arguments" and suggest that relations with Israel and Iran do not preclude each other.[189]
As a response to the 2023 Israel-Hamas War, the UAE condemned Hamas for its "serious and grave escalation" and its hostage taking.[190]
Jordan was the first country to recognize UAE after forming the union in 1971. The first commander in Chief in the UAE military was Jordanian, and the first commander in Zayed Military college was Jordanian as well. Making Jordan effectively one of a key partners of forming the UAE.[191]
The relationship between UAE and Jordan dates to the 1950s, before UAE gain independence and form the union. Jordan at the time used to aid UAE with educational, military, and health care missions, when UAE was still a barren desert.[192]
The United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Kuala Lumpur, and Malaysia has an embassy in Abu Dhabi.[193] The countries established diplomatic relations in 1983.[194]
In 2005 Malaysia's export to the UAE stood at Dh7 billion. Main export items were gold and jewellery, wood products (furniture and parts), palm oil, petroleum products and electrical appliances. In 2007, trade between Malaysia and UAE was worth MYR 14.56 billion making UAE, Malaysia's largest trading partner in West Asia as well as Malaysia being the 10th largest exporter to UAE.[195] In 2009, Malaysian ambassador Datuk Yahaya Abdul Jabar said total trade between Malaysia and UAE from January to November stood at RM19.5 billion. Malaysia's main exports to the UAE are jewellery, consumer electronics and palm oil.[196]
Pakistan and the UAE are very close allies with extremely close relations based on cultural affinities and shared faith. These relations date back to the UAE's formation in 1971, and have since developed into wide-ranging co-operation in various fields. UAE has been a major donor of economic assistance to Pakistan.[197]Sheikh Zayed International Airport in Rahim Yar Khan, in the Punjab province of Pakistan is an example of UAE's economic assistance as the late president and the founder of the UAE Sheikh Zayed donated the airport to the government of Pakistan.
UAE has emerged as one of Pakistan's major economic and trading partners. A large number of Pakistani expatriates, numbering nearly 1.2 million are gainfully employed in UAE.[citation needed]
Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1975.[63]
The UAE alongside multiple Middle Eastern and African countries cut diplomatic ties with Qatar in June 2017 due to allegations of Qatar being a state sponsor of terrorism, resulting in the Qatar diplomatic crisis. Ties were restored in January 2021.[198] In June 2023, both countries reopened their embassies and appointed ambassadors in July and August.[199][200]
On 18 March 2022, Bashar al-Assad visited the UAE for the first time since 2011. He met Dubai's Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and the UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for the peace deal. The US fully opposed the relations building between the UAE and Syria. Despite the US opposition, the UAE was still building relation with Syria. On 19 March 2023, Assad visited the UAE again, with his wife Asma al Assad.[202]
The UAE and Yemen have a complex and strained relationship, as the UAE has played a significant role in regional politics in Yemen, and has at various points been an adversary of the country, as the UAE's involvement in Yemen, for example the United Arab Emirates takeover of Socotra, and its support for the Southern Transitional Council, a secessionist organization in Southern Yemen, has been a source of tension between the two countries, and has contributed to the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in the country. Furthermore, the UAE has been involved in other efforts in Yemen that have been controversial. The country has been accused of backing local militias and separatist groups that have sought to gain more autonomy or independence from the central government. Some critics have accused the UAE of using these groups to further its own interests in the region, rather than working towards a broader peace and stability in Yemen.
The UAE's relationship with France has been strategically important as it negotiated a defence cooperation agreement and remains one of the country's primary providers of military material.[204] France and the UAE have signed a defence cooperation agreement in order to diversity its procurement from solely the US.[204] Culturally, as the Sorbonne and Louvre are both establishing extensions in the UAE,[205] a plan is in the works to recreate a miniature Lyon city in Dubai complete with public squares, restaurants and museums.[206]
On 25 May 2009, the French president Nicolas Sarkozy visited the UAE, Abu Dhabi where he along with UAE's president Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan formally opened a French military base in the United Arab Emirates. This would become France's first permanent base in the Persian Gulf, hosting up to 500 French troops.[207] In addition to the inauguration of Peace Camp, Nicolas Sarkozy visited the site of a Louvre Museum branch which France is opening in the United Arab Emirates. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs, said that the co-operation with France is a top priority for the UAE's foreign policy.[208]
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 17 May 1972[22]
German exports amount to 5.84 billion Euros.[209] German companies significantly contribute to the UAE's ongoing infrastructure projects and play a leading role in the country's alternative energy developments.[210] Consequently, German Business Park, an area designed to house several of the already seven hundred present companies and their logistical needs, is in the midst of construction.[211]
When Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, the UAE abstained in a U.N. Security Council vote to condemn Russia's invasion.[216] The UAE later condemned Russia in a U.N. General Assembly vote.[217]
Location and status of boundary with Saudi Arabia is not final, de facto boundary reflects 1974 agreement; no defined boundary with most of Oman, but Administrative Line in far north;
UAE claims two islands through the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah in the Persian Gulf that are currently controlled by Iran: Lesser Tunb (called Tunb as Sughra in Arabic by UAE and Jazireh-ye Tonb-e Kuchak in Persian by Iran) and Greater Tunb (called Tunb al Kubra in Arabic by UAE and Jazireh-ye Tonb-e Bozorg in Persian by Iran);
UAE claims an island through the Emirate of Sharjah in the Persian Gulf that is currently administered by Iran (called Abu Musa in Arabic by UAE and Jazireh-ye Abu Musa in Persian by Iran) - over which Iran has taken steps to exert unilateral control since 1992, including access restrictions and a military build-up on the island.
^D.G. Lavroff (1973). L'Afrique dans le monde (in French). Editions A. Pedone. p. 665. 8 janvier. — La Tanzanie et Etat des Emirats arabes unis ont décidé de nouer des relations diplomatiques au niveau des ambassadeurs.
^Record of the Arab World: Yearbook of Arab and Israeli Politics. Research and Publishing House. 1973. p. 179.
^ abRecord of the Arab World Yearbook of Arab and Israeli Politics · Volume 1. Research and Publishing House. 1973. p. 181.
^"About the Embassy". United Arab Emirates Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
^ARR: Arab Report and Record - Page 6. Economic Features, Limited. 1975.
^Libro amarillo correspondiente al año ...: presentado al Congreso Nacional en sus sesiones ordinarias de ... por el titular despacho (in Spanish). Venezuela. Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores. 2003. pp. 528–529.
^Revue de la communauté France-Eurafrique Issues 252-277 (in French). 1975. p. 24. Le Lesotho va établir des relations diplomatiques au niveau des ambassadeurs avec l'Etat des Emirats Arabes Unis , annonce le Ministère des Affaires étrangères à Maseru ...
^ abStandard and Chartered Review. 1975. p. 18. The growing importance of the UAE was em- phasised with eight new ambassadors , from Austria , Belgium , Eire , The Gambia , Malaysia , Netherlands , Niger and Switzerland , presenting their credentials to the President .
^ ab"Overview". Ministry of Foreign Affairs Republic of Korea. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
^Marchés tropicaux et méditerranéens Volume 37 (in French). 1981. p. 2275. ... ouverture d'une ambassade du Mali à Abou Dhabi , a - t - on appris le 18 août ...
^Le Mois en Afrique Issues 186-193 (in French). 1981. p. 159.
^مجلة دراسات الخليج والجزيرة العربية: Journal of the Gulf and Arabian Peninsula Studies, (in Arabic). Vol. 8 (29–32). 1982. p. 290.
^Le Mois en Afrique Issues 194-202 (in French). 1982. p. 168.
^ ab"Political dialogue". Embassy of Ukraine in the United Arab Emirates. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
^"United Arab Emirates". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania. Archived from the original on 23 September 2021. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
^"Political Cooperation". Embassy of the Republic of Belarus in the United Arab Emirates. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
^Relations Between Georgia and the United Arab Emirates. Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Georgia).
^Rogoway, Tyler (27 October 2016). "Shadowy UAE Base in Libya Hosts Attack Aircraft and Chinese Drones". The Drive Media, Inc. Archived from the original on 1 September 2022. Retrieved 2 July 2019. Some of these nations even have their own forward operating bases in Libya, including a secretive remote airfield operated by the United Arab Emirates and located about 50 miles southeast of Benghazi. Here, the UAE has deployed a pocket air force of heavily armed and armored agricultural planes developed into surveillance and light attack platforms–the AT-802U Border Patrol variant of the Air Tractor and the more capable IOMAX Archangel–in addition to S-70 Blackhawks, and Chinese Wing Loong unmanned aircraft
^"UAE operating an airbase near Marj: report". Libya Herald. 26 October 2016. Archived from the original on 27 July 2021. Retrieved 2 July 2019. IHS Jane's says that the UAE is operating propeller-driven AT-802U light aircraft, helicopters and surveillance drones from the Al-Khadim airport to the south-east of Marj and Jardas Al-Abid.
^"EMBASSY OF THE UAE IN TEHRAN". UNITED Arab Emirates Ministry of Foreign Relations & International Cooperation. Archived from the original on 20 September 2018. Retrieved 20 September 2018.
^"UAE recognises Kosovo". Emirates News Agency. 14 October 2008. Archived from the original on 17 October 2008. Retrieved 14 October 2008. In accordance with its firm support for the principle of the legitimate right of peoples to self-determination, the United Arab Emirates has announced its recognition of the Kosovo Republic as an independent and sovereign state.