The United Arab Emirates and the Republic of Portugal held the first round of political consultations in the Portuguese capital Lisbon, with Her Excellency Lana Nusseibeh, Minister of State, leading the UAE delegation, while the Portuguese side was represented by Dr Ana Isabel Xavier, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation at the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The consultations carry great significance in the trajectory of bilateral relations between the UAE and Portugal, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Both sides affirmed the need to broaden bilateral cooperation to capitalise on promising opportunities across a number of key areas, including political dialogue, trade and investment, energy, defence, as well as strengthening people-to-people ties, cultural cooperation, and other areas of mutual interest. The two sides also discussed ways to enhance economic cooperation at both the bilateral and European levels, in light of efforts by the UAE and the European Union to conclude the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). The UAE is the EU's largest trading partner in the Gulf region, and the agreement is expected to open wide horizons for achieving mutual benefits for both parties.
Discussions also shed light on the most significant political and security developments in Europe and the Middle East, with both sides affirming the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in promoting peace, stability, and sustainable development. They stressed the need to support all efforts aimed at de-escalation, the peaceful resolution of conflicts, and the advancement of regional stability.
The two sides also exchanged views on multilateral cooperation, including Portugal's upcoming membership of the United Nations Security Council for the period 2027–2028, and the potential to draw on the UAE's experience through its previous membership of the Council.
Both sides welcomed the close alignment of their priorities and reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation in the areas of conflict prevention, protection of civilians, and maritime security including the oceans, alongside strengthening partnerships and intensifying coordination within the United Nations and other multilateral forums.