Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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87. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when discussions on improving ties between the European Union and the United Arab Emirates were last held at the EU Foreign Affairs Council Meeting. [36471/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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At the February Foreign Affairs Council, representatives of the six Gulf Cooperation Council countries (including the UAE) were invited to an EU-GCC Ministerial discussion on enhancing co-operation between the EU and the Gulf.

In May, the EEAS and Commission published a Joint Communication on Strategic Partnership with the Gulf. This sets out a range of areas to enhance EU/Gulf cooperation, including on trade, energy, climate, political dialogue, human rights, and visa liberalisation. The Joint Communication also proposes the appointment of an EU Special Representative for the Gulf.

The June Foreign Affairs Council adopted conclusions endorsing this Joint Communication, and welcoming plans to enhance engagement between the EU and the Gulf. They are available at data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-10038-2022-INIT/en/pdf