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5/30/25, 4:39 PM UAE, EU continue talks on Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement – The Gulf Time Newspaper
UAE, EU continue talks on Comprehensive Economic

Partnership Agreement

DUBAI/ WAM

Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, welcomed Maroš Šefčovič, EU Commissioner for Trade
and Economic Security, to the UAE for ongoing talks regarding the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA)

between the UAE and the EU.
The visit also included an investment roundtable with representatives from leading private sector companies aimed at
exploring opportunities for increased collaboration and investment flows between the EU and UAE.
The UAE-EU CEPA is poised to be a significant milestone in strengthening economic ties and unlocking new avenues for
trade and cooperation. The agreement will pave the way for the removal of trade barriers, enhance market access for goods
and services, and stimulate investment in key sectors. By consolidating access to the EU market, the second largest
economic bloc in the world, the CEPA will reinforce the UAE’s status as a global trade and logistics hub.
The EU is already one of the UAE’s key trading partners, accounting for 8.3% of non-oil trade. In 2024, non-oil trade between
the two reached US$67.6 billion, representing a growth of 3.6% over 2023.
Al Zeyoudi emphasised the importance of the CEPA with the EU, stating, “Our negotiations toward a UAE-EU Comprehensive
Economic Partnership Agreement is of great importance to both the UAE and the EU and represents an extraordinary
opportunity for us both to enhance trade and investment ties that will foster greater collaboration and create mutual benefits
and prosperity. By working together, we will strengthen our supply chains, drive innovation, and create jobs that will benefit our
communities and economies for many years to come.”

Maroš Šefčovič commented, “Europe continues to be a reliable trading partner, which respects the deals it makes. And it is
natural to seek to grow our relations with long-standing and trusted partners like the United Arab Emirates. A bilateral FTA
would unlock tremendous business opportunities for European and Emirati businesses alike. Our aim is therefore to reach an
ambitious deal that is commercially meaningful on both sides – one that brings tangible, lasting benefits, along with
predictability, so essential to any successful business. This would add strength to our regional cooperation with the Gulf
Cooperation Council countries.”

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