Minister Kang Kyung-hwa Holds Bilateral Talks with UAE Foreign Minister... Expanding and Deepening 'Special Strategic Partnership'

Discussion on Expanding Cooperation on Current Issues Including Joint Response to COVID-19... Both Countries Agree to Further Expand Cooperation Related to Expo

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] After attending the Manama Dialogue, Kang Kyung-wha, Minister of Foreign Affairs, who visited the United Arab Emirates (UAE), held talks and dinner consultations on the 5th with Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the UAE, to discuss ways to expand and deepen the bilateral cooperative relationship, which has become closer through joint response to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 6th, the two ministers agreed that despite the COVID-19 situation, the two countries have continued exchanges and communication, holding foreign ministers' meetings twice this year alone, and have continuously expanded their relationship to a level befitting a special strategic partnership. In particular, Minister Kang evaluated that through creative methods during the COVID-19 situation, the two countries have maintained close human and economic exchanges, including the expedited entry system agreed upon during Minister Abdullah’s visit to Korea in July, the supply of Korean-made specimen collection kits and diagnostic kits, and the UAE’s support for the return of Korean nationals.

Minister Abdullah stated, "We consider ourselves blessed to have a close relationship with a country like Korea during the COVID-19 situation," and expressed hope that "the special strategic partnership between the two countries will continue to develop further."

Additionally, the two ministers reviewed the status of various bilateral cooperation projects between Korea and the UAE in fields such as education, health, ICT, and science and technology, and discussed ways to further accelerate these efforts. They also exchanged views on cooperation between the two countries on the international stage.

The ministers discussed expanding the Korea-UAE health cooperation, which became active following Korea’s export of quarantine supplies at the early stage of the COVID-19 outbreak, into a relationship that leads international cooperation beyond the bilateral level. They also agreed on the necessity of vaccine cooperation, including self-secured vaccine procurement and support for developing countries through development cooperation frameworks such as the COVAX Facility.

The two ministers also agreed to expand cooperation related to the Expo. Minister Kang stated, "The Korean government will spare no effort and support to ensure the successful hosting of the 2020 Dubai Expo, postponed by one year due to COVID-19, next year," and requested active cooperation from the UAE during the bidding process for the 2030 Busan World Expo.

Minister Kang highly praised the UAE leaders’ decision, noting that the recent normalization of relations between the UAE and Israel is expected to contribute to stability in the Middle East region. The two ministers exchanged in-depth views on the overall international situation, including the Middle East situation, the Korean Peninsula, and US-China relations.

Meanwhile, on the 6th, Minister Kang visited the Dubai Expo site and held talks with Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation and Chairperson of the Dubai Expo, to discuss cooperation related to the Expo with the UAE. Afterward, she plans to visit the construction site of the Korean Pavilion to review Korea’s participation status in the 2020 Dubai Expo.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.