European Council President António Costa pays timely visit to the UAE

EU

European Council President António Costa paid an important and timely visit to the UAE, reaffirming the strength of the EU-UAE partnership at a critical moment for the region.

President Costa met with UAE President H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, expressing gratitude for the care and attention given to the safety of over 200,000 EU citizens living in the UAE.

He also conveyed three clear messages to our partners: full solidarity in the face of Iran's indiscriminate and unjustifiable attacks, the EU's role as a reliable partner ready to contribute, and a shared commitment to advancing a comprehensive path towards lasting peace through dialogue and diplomacy.

Discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in support of regional stability and the protection of shared interests. This includes working together to safeguard freedom of navigation in key maritime routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, ensuring the safe passage of ships around the Arabian Peninsula, and supporting sustained diplomatic efforts for lasting peace in the Middle East.

The EU continues to play an active role in the region, including through maritime security operations and coordination with international partners to help keep critical sea lanes open and protect global energy and supply chains.

EU

Shortly before this visit, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, Kaja Kallas, was also in Abu Dhabi, where she met with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Their discussions focused on the Iran conflict and its wider regional implications, including Lebanon and Iraq. She underlined the importance of ensuring safe maritime passage and highlighted that the Strait of Hormuz remains a key priority in EU engagement. The talks also covered bilateral relations and ways to further strengthen cooperation between the EU and the UAE, including in security and defence.

A strong moment of engagement, reflecting the depth of the EU-UAE partnership and its continued relevance in advancing stability, security, and peace.