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ABU DHABI/WAM
Mohamed Saeed Al Neyadi, UAE Ambassador to the Republic of Chile, stated that the forthcoming state visit of Gabriel Boric Font, President of the Republic of Chile, to the UAE tomorrow marks a historic occasion and a significant step forward in strengthening the strategic relations between the UAE and Chile.
This visit marks the first official visit by the Chilean President to the Middle East and the first in the history of bilateral relations since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries in 1978.
In an op-ed marking the occasion, Al Neyadi said, “There is no doubt that this visit is a major and historic milestone in the process of strengthening bilateral relations. It confirms the depth of our relationship, which is founded on mutual understanding and shared interests, both bilaterally and within various regional forums and international organisations.
“Relations between the UAE and Chile are witnessing continuous development in many vital sectors, reflecting the commitment of both countries’ leaderships to strengthen and advance these ties. This progress aligns with the aspirations and orientations of the leaderships and serves common goals, benefiting and meeting the interests of the two friendly peoples.”
He added, “On the economic front, the UAE is keen to expand its network of economic and trade relations with the Latin American region. Chile stands as a leading partner within the comprehensive economic partnership agreements programme implemented by the UAE, which will be signed during this visit. This agreement will mark a significant turning point in the course of economic relations, stimulating sustainable growth and enhancing economic cooperation between the two countries. It will enable companies and exporters in the UAE to access the rapidly growing economies of Chile and other Latin American countries, regions that constitute vital and expanding markets with a combined population of over 800 million.”
Al Neyadi highlighted that the volume of non-oil trade between the UAE and Chile amounted to US$305.1 million in 2023, representing a growth of 23.6 percent since 2019. Regarding investments, the two countries have significant and growing mutual investments. Notably, Emirati investments are represented by the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and DP World in the Republic of Chile.
In terms of climate and sustainable development, he stated, the UAE and Chile share visions and aspirations to achieve food security, address climate challenges, and work towards climate neutrality targets by 2050, adding that both countries are committed to implementing strategies that ensure the sustainability of environmental and climate initiatives and diversify renewable energy sources.
He commended the Republic of Chile for its pioneering role in leading COP25 in 2019 and its efforts to achieve sustainable development goals at national, regional, and international levels.
The UAE Ambassador to Chile stated, “The 46th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the UAE and the Republic of Chile is an opportunity to highlight our past achievements while also looking forward to building a future full of new accomplishments, driven by the comprehensive strategic partnership between our two countries.”
He emphasised that the two countries have numerous promising economic opportunities for joint growth and prosperity that align with their aspirations and economic potential. This collaboration launches a new era of economic partnership, accelerates growth in vital and future sectors, stimulates mutual investments, and enhances air links, contributing to increased communication between business communities, raising the rates of trade, tourism, and cultural exchange between the two sides.
“Additionally, both countries can benefit from their strategic locations, serving as crucial hubs for connecting the Middle East and South America, and reinforcing the UAE’s leading role as a vital commercial and logistics center in the region,” he noted.
Concluding his remarks, Ambassador Al Neyadi said that Emirati diplomacy has achieved great successes under the leadership of H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, which contributed to consolidating the pillars of the UAE’s global leadership and affirmed the strength of its ties with both sisterly and friendly countries.
“This is one of the fruits of his tour of the South American region and the Republic of Chile in October 2023, reflecting his commitment to realising the vision of the wise leadership in building exemplary partnerships with South American countries. As a result, the UAE has become a vital and attractive political and economic destination on the world map,” he further added.