Orbeli Center talked to H.E. Mrs. Ahlam Al Salami, Chargé d'Affairs at the UAE Embassy in Yerevan on economic, cultural and diplomatic relations between the Republic of Armenia and the United Arab Emirates.

— Mrs.  Ahlam Al Salami, diplomatic relations have been established between our countries and quite successful cooperation in various fields for more than 2 decades. Certainly, the bilateral cooperation has entered a qualitatively new stage due to the opening and effective activity of diplomatic missions of the two countries in Armenia and in the UAE. Especially it is obvious the most intensive activity of the UAE Embassy in Armenia in the last 3 years. In your view, in which spheres has the most significant progress been recorded?

— In recent years, relations between the UAE and Armenia have recorded a tangible progress in all the fields, since numerous agreements and memoranda of understanding have been signed between the two friendly countries. The convening of the first session of the Armenian-Emirates intergovernmental commission in 2019 and the holding of political consultations between the Foreign Ministries of the two countries gave a new impetus to a higher level of cooperation, especially in the field of trade, economy, food security, science and education, as well as information technology, agriculture, renewable energy and tourism. Furthermore, the intensification of reciprocal high-level visits between the two countries also contributed to the strengthening of relations in various fields.

— It is a common knowledge, that Armenia and the UAE have a rather close positions on a number of regional issues. Do you consider bilateral cooperation in this direction possible?

— The UAE wise leadership have developed constant principles of efficient foreign policy to fight against terrorism and extremism, strengthen tolerance, spread moderation, promote peace and dialogue, focusing on strengthening of cooperation with partners at bilateral and multilateral levels. Within the framework of peace, solidarity, tolerance, multiculturalism, acceptance of others, the UAE strives for accepting and strengthening the principles and concepts of dialogue, readiness to cooperate with each other.

The UAE affirms the need to deepen ties between peoples, strengthening cooperation and communication approach with the countries of the world, increasing creative and humanitarian initiatives, establishing partnership and achieving mutual reconciliation.

— Political relations between the two countries are at a rather high level, whereas the potential of bilateral economic agenda is not best realized. Mrs. Al Salami, in your view, especially in which sector of the economy is there a greater opportunity of development?

— Before the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic, there were many positive developments in bilateral trade, and in 2019, the trade turnover amounted to about $338.5 million. I would like to note that there are promising prospects for the development of economic cooperation in the fields of information technology, renewable energy, agriculture and tourism. Agreement for the Encouragement and Protection of Investment, as well as the Memorandum of Understanding between the Chambers of Commerce of the UAE and the Republic of Armenia are the basis for strengthening economic cooperation between the two countries. Furthermore, the implementation of direct flights between Abu Dhabi and Yerevan will contribute to the strengthening of economic, cultural and tourism relations, and Expo 2020 Dubai and Armenia’s participation in it will be a new impetus for developing cooperation in this field.

— What obstacles do you see for the development of bilateral relations, to the solution of which Armenian authorities can contribute?

— There are no visible obstacles to the development of relations between the two countries, since the relations are based on the principles of mutual respect, trust and understanding, and all the issues are discussed in a constructive atmosphere for the benefit of the two friendly countries.

— The UAE Embassy comes up with various humanitarian programs in the regions and in the capital Yerevan. What programs are in your agenda already scheduled in the near future?

— Since its founding in 1971, the UAE has provided great support and now supports to a number of countries in the world, including Armenia, regardless of any political position, geographical region, racial or religious affiliation. It is a practical application of the principle of tolerance policy adopted by the UAE.

Accordant to this approach, the UAE has implemented numerous humanitarian initiatives since the opening of its embassy in Yerevan in 2015, which have been benefited by various social groups in Armenia, including children, the elderly, the disabled and students. The initiatives have been implemented in cooperation with the Emirati Charitable and Humanitarian organizations, who spare no effort to reach out those in need.

The reconstruction of Haghartsin Monastery by the Governor of Sharjah, Supreme Council Member Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi and the reconstruction of Arpa-Sevan tunnel with the financial support of Abu-Dabi Fund for Development are the largest projects implemented by UAE in Armenia.

As part of the UAE’s efforts to fight the Covid-19 pandemic, about 7 tons of medical supplies were sent to Armenia to support Armenia’s efforts to limit the spread of the pandemic.

In the current year, the embassy has already launched a number of humanitarian initiatives, within the framework of which more than 800 boxes of food have been provided to various low-income families in the regions of Armenia. Furthermore, some kindergartens in Yerevan and in Vayots Dzor region were provided with educational materials developing children’s mental abilities. We also plan to conduct sewing training courses in support of a group of unemployed women in Shirak region in cooperation with the Women’s Rights House NGO.

For the coming months, the embassy will continue to carry out other humanitarian and charitable programs, which will be used by various social groups, such as children, women, the elderly and the disabled.