FAMAGUSTA GAZETTE — The European Union (EU) and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have agreed to initiate free trade negotiations, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced last night.
This development is seen as a significant step in strengthening EU-UAE relations and fostering closer ties with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
The negotiations aim to liberalize trade in goods, services, and investment, while enhancing cooperation in strategic sectors such as renewable energy, green hydrogen, and critical raw materials.
European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic is expected to visit the UAE soon to advance discussions.
The move comes as the EU seeks to diversify its trade partnerships following U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent tariff policies, which included a 20 percent levy on EU imports.
Von der Leyen expressed optimism, stating that both sides are committed to progressing “swiftly and ambitiously.”
The EU is the UAE’s second-largest trade partner, accounting for $67.6 billion in non-oil trade in 2024, representing 8.3 percent of the UAE’s total non-oil foreign trade, according to official data.