Belarus - UAE: relationships for long term

29 октября 2014

This week is marked by an unprecedented breakthrough in relations between Belarus and the United Arab Emirates. This is the way the UAE side characterizes the visit of President Alexander Lukashenko and the agreements reached during this visit. It is hard to remember such a rapid and significant breakthrough in relations - literally within days, even hours - a package of proposals was formed on a number of joint projects. The bar is set high: by the year 2015 the turnover must increase by 10 times and reach the amount of 500 million dollars. And this figure is indicated only as a foundation for building further cooperation.


On the first day of the working visit of Alexander Lukashenko in the United Arab Emirates he was met at the airport by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Affaires Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The politicians discussed a number of issues, but agreed to meet again. Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan promises: this time the role of host will be performed by the Belarusian President.


Afterwards a meeting took place which the Emiratis themselves call historical - the real breakthrough in bilateral relations. It was the meeting between Alexander Lukashenko and the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.


The UAE know the possibilities of Belarusian industry. Already after the first talks Alexander Lukashenko, was informed that the United Arab Emirates have expressed their desire to purchase MAZ machinery, even the corresponding contract was signed. Local investors have proposed to create a production and industrial cluster, the volume of investments is 170 million dollars. The agreement was reached to finance a number of infrastructure projects from the Development Fund of Abu Dhabi. Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan once again underlines the benefits of the Belarusian economy and says that attraction of skilled labor from our country will become one of the major projects of bilateral cooperation.


Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan heads the UAE law enforcement agency. Local police have long chosen Belarusian experience as the guideline, even a committee was formed here on cooperation with Belarus, and for many of the emirates police the Academy of the Interior Ministry of the Republic of Belarus became alma mater.


However, the theme №1 in the negotiations in the Emirates is economic cooperation. The turnover of 50 million dollars a year is twice more than 5 years ago, but is much lower than the opportunities of both countries. This was discussed by Alexander Lukashenko with the Deputy National Security Adviser to the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan who oversees the UAE's Belarusian direction.


It is already quite clear: Belarus and the UAE started a new page in their relations. The main success is in specific results - priorities for further cooperation have been clearly identified.


Alexander Lukashenko visited Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Here the first President of the country is buried. The Belarusian leader paid tribute to one of the most prominent politicians in the history of the UAE.


A breakthrough in relations has definitely been made. The Emiratis see Belarus as a reliable and promising partner. Foundation has been laid and subsequent meetings in the framework of the working visit of the President will certainly become the first bricks in the construction of completely renewed relations between the countries.