UAE Strengthens Parliamentary Ties With Romania And Pakistan

Saqr Ghobash, Speaker of the Federal National Council (FNC), met with Mircea Abrudean, President of the Senate of Romania, during the International Parliamentary Conference in Azerbaijan. The meeting, held on the sidelines of the 30th anniversary of Azerbaijan’s Constitution, reflected the UAE’s commitment to deepening its global parliamentary partnerships and expanding political dialogue.

During their discussions, Ghobash highlighted the strong and growing ties between the United Arab Emirates and Romania. He noted that the relationship is based on mutual respect, shared goals, and a joint vision to strengthen cooperation in multiple fields. These include investment, energy, innovation, and food security — sectors that have seen rapid growth since Romania’s former Prime Minister visited the UAE in April 2024. That visit opened new avenues for collaboration and gave strong momentum to political and economic relations between the two nations.

Ghobash emphasized the Federal National Council’s dedication to enhancing parliamentary diplomacy as an important tool for supporting the UAE’s foreign policy and building bridges with partner nations. He proposed reviving the UAE–Romania parliamentary friendship committee through regular meetings and exchange programs between specialized committees. This initiative, he said, would help foster greater understanding and coordination on issues of shared interest.

Ghobash also praised Romania’s active participation in European Union institutions and its potential role as a bridge to strengthen relations between the UAE and the EU. He highlighted the importance of parliamentary engagement within the European Parliament and underlined how Romania’s cooperation could contribute to deeper UAE–EU understanding in trade, energy, and innovation.

Ghobash identified several promising areas for cooperation between the UAE and Romania, such as renewable energy, green hydrogen, maritime transport, advanced technologies, artificial intelligence, and food security. He welcomed the creation of the UAE–Romanian Business Council, describing it as a key platform that could boost private-sector partnerships and economic collaboration between the two countries.

During the meeting, Ghobash also discussed the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the UAE and the European Union. He emphasized that Romania could play a supportive role in its success through parliamentary cooperation and coordination. He said that the agreement’s full potential would be realized only through strong collaboration between governments and legislative bodies.

Ghobash invited Mircea Abrudean to visit the UAE and the Federal National Council in the near future to continue discussions and explore new areas of cooperation. He reaffirmed the UAE’s readiness to build a long-term partnership with Romania that supports both countries’ visions for sustainable growth and mutual prosperity.

In response, Abrudean praised the remarkable progress in UAE–Romania relations, especially within the parliamentary field. He expressed appreciation for the UAE’s efforts in promoting dialogue and cooperation and affirmed that continued engagement would deepen mutual understanding and serve the shared interests of both nations.

In a separate meeting, Ghobash also met with Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, Chairman of the Senate of Pakistan. The two leaders reaffirmed the historic and deep-rooted ties between the UAE and Pakistan, dating back to the era of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Both sides highlighted that these relations continue to grow on a foundation of respect, friendship, and shared aspirations for peace and prosperity.

Ghobash and Gilani reviewed the ongoing cooperation between the FNC and the Senate of Pakistan. They expressed satisfaction with the steady growth of parliamentary relations and emphasized the importance of the UAE–Pakistan parliamentary friendship committee. The committee serves as a bridge for sharing expertise, coordinating joint initiatives, and aligning positions on regional and international matters.

Both leaders expressed optimism that stronger parliamentary ties would also contribute to expanding economic and investment cooperation. Ghobash highlighted that the UAE remains one of Pakistan’s top investors and trading partners in the Middle East and Africa, with bilateral trade reaching USD 10.9 billion in 2024. The discussion also focused on exploring new areas of partnership in renewable energy, technology, and logistics.

Senate Chairman Gilani reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthen cooperation with the UAE across all sectors, especially through parliamentary exchanges. He praised the UAE’s role as a strategic partner in the region and expressed confidence that enhanced collaboration between the two parliaments would deepen bilateral relations and support development efforts in both nations.

The meetings held by Saqr Ghobash in Azerbaijan underscore the UAE’s active role in promoting parliamentary diplomacy as a tool for strengthening international relations. Through constructive dialogue with leaders from Romania and Pakistan, the UAE continues to reinforce its position as a reliable global partner committed to cooperation, development, and peace.