Representing UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, participated in the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council meeting held at the Palace of Independence in Minsk, Belarus.
The high-level summit convened heads of state and government from the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) member states under the chairmanship of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. The UAE was invited as a guest of honour, alongside key partner nations including Uzbekistan, Cuba, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Mongolia, Zimbabwe, and Myanmar.
During the session, H.H. Sheikh Khaled delivered the UAE’s official address, extending warm regards from President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and reaffirming the UAE’s ongoing commitment to advancing mutual prosperity and forging strong, sustainable economic ties with the EAEU bloc.
He expressed gratitude to President Lukashenko for the invitation and hospitality, noting the strategic importance of deepening trade and investment cooperation between the UAE and Eurasian nations.
Milestone Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) Signed
A key highlight of the summit was the official exchange of the UAE–EAEU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), marking a significant step forward in strengthening economic collaboration. The agreement aims to remove trade barriers, enhance investment flows, and unlock opportunities across key sectors, including renewable energy, logistics, and construction.
H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed described the agreement as a “transformative milestone” that will boost bilateral trade, reinforce private sector collaboration, and provide new pathways for entrepreneurs and SMEs to scale internationally. It also reflects the depth of strategic engagement between the UAE and EAEU nations.
The EPA was signed by Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, and senior representatives of EAEU member countries, including Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, and Russia.
In 2024, bilateral non-oil trade between the UAE and EAEU countries grew by 27% to reach USD 29 billion, underscoring the momentum of economic engagement. Trade volumes have quadrupled since 2021, laying a strong foundation for this next chapter of cooperation.
A Strong Regional Presence
Among the dignitaries attending the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council were:
- Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation
- Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Kazakhstan
- Sadyr Japarov, President of Kyrgyzstan
- Miguel Díaz-Canel, President of Cuba
- Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of Uzbekistan
- Senior representatives from Mongolia, Nicaragua, and Myanmar
The summit reaffirmed the UAE’s growing role as a trusted global economic partner and highlighted its continued efforts to forge strategic alliances that drive diversified, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth.
–Input WAM
