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| H.E. Abdulla Saif Al Nuaimi, UAE ambassador to Korea / Courtesy of Embassy of UAE |
In view of the growth and expansion of bilateral cooperation, particularly in the economic field, our relations were eventually promoted to a Special Strategic Partnership in 2018.
However, the measures enforced at the global level due to the outbreak of COVID-19 have substantially affected economic exchanges and the movement of business people.
To cope with this situation, the two sides implemented the Fast Track Procedure in August. The main objective of the FTP is to facilitate travel between the two countries for business and humanitarian purposes.
This cooperation has led to the expansion of relations between our two countries and paved the way for further engagement, ultimately leading to the upgrading of bilateral ties to a Special Strategic Partnership.
The Barakah Project is proceeding smoothly, and the first unit was successfully made operational and connected to the national power grid this August, thanks to the dedication and perseverance of those in charge.
As part of the celebrations of the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, His Highness Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, made an official visit to Seoul in July 2020 and held a meeting with Her Excellency Kang Kyung-wha to discuss the Special Strategic Partnership. The visit was considered the first of its kind to be made by a foreign minister to the Republic of Korea since the outbreak of COVID-19.
Under the framework of the Special Strategic Partnership, the two countries have established a number of specialized high-level mechanisms, including: the Special Strategic Dialogue between the two foreign ministers that began as a Strategic Dialogue in 2011, which addresses issues related to the partnership in general; the (2+2) meetings at the level of vice foreign and defense ministers to review political, diplomatic, and defense cooperation between the two countries; the High-level Consultations on Nuclear Cooperation to discuss issues related to the Barakah Project; and the Joint Economic Committee meeting at the ministerial level, which has been convened since 2007 to discuss economic cooperation in general.
