KEY POINTS

  • Sheikh Mohamed welcomed Romanian President and his delegation in Abu Dhabi on Monday
  • The two leaders discussed strengthening bilateral ties between the UAE and Romania
  • A number of agreements and MOUs between the two countries were signed during the meeting

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and his Romanian counterpart, Klaus Iohannis, met Monday to discuss bilateral ties between the two countries, before announcing several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) in the fields of energy, cybersecurity and education.

Sheikh Mohamed welcomed Iohannis and his wife Carmen at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi on Monday as the Romanian president embarked on an official visit to the UAE.

During the meeting, the leaders expressed their interest in strengthening relations between the UAE and Romania. They also discussed potential areas of cooperation, including food security, trade, sustainability, and renewable energy, and shared their views on regional and international issues.

Sheikh Mohamed reiterated during the meeting the strong ties shared by the UAE and Romania, which extend far back to the early years of the former nation, news agency WAM reported. He also stressed the historic collaboration between the two countries, and the importance of their relations in bettering humanity. He told Iohannis that the goal of the UAE was to build relations that help fuel sustainable growth and achieve a better future for all.

The UAE president also talked about climate change and its effects on both the countries, before adding he was looking forward to Romania's active involvement in the upcoming COP28.

For his part, Iohannis expressed his gratitude to Sheikh Mohamed for the warm welcome he showed to him and his delegation. He also lauded the recent developments in the UAE and for being a role model of sustainable development throughout the Gulf region. In line with this, he mentioned a previous visit he made to some locations in Abu Dhabi and described them as living proofs to how far the UAE had gone when it comes to sustainable development.

He also underscored the importance of their partnerships, particularly in the areas of renewable energy, education and technology. He highlighted the importance of the deals previously signed between the UAE and Romania, and said he was looking forward to furthering bilateral ties and expanding areas of cooperation between the two nations.

President Iohannis also praised the UAE for its commendable preparation for COP28, saying its role is crucial in protecting the future of the world.

The announced MoUs were between the UAE's Ministry of Education and its Romanian counterpart; the UAE Cybersecurity Council and the Romanian National Cyber Security Directorate; the UAE's Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure and the Romanian Ministry of Energy; the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) and Romania's SN Nuclearelectrica. An agreement between Masdar and Romania's Hidroelectrica was also announced.

UAE_President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
This file handout photo, released by the Saudi Royal Palace on May 31, 2019, shows the UAE's Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during a meeting in the Saudi holy city of Mecca; he became the UAE president after the death of his half-brother Saudi Royal Palace via AFP / BANDAR AL-JALOUD