UAE foreign mnister, Senegalese counterpart discuss stronger relations, co-chair first joint commission's meeting.

H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister of the UAE, met with Senegalese Minister of Foreign Affairs and Senegalese Abroad, Mankeur Ndiaye, to discuss ways to promote bilateral relations in various spheres and exchange views on the developments in Africa.

During the meeting, attended by Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemi, UAE Minister of State, H.H. Sheikh Abdullah expressed the hope for stronger bilateral relations that would benefit the peoples of the two countries.

H.H. Sheikh Abdullah stressed that the UAE is interested in enhancing its relations with Senegal and other African countries in economic, investment, energy and trade spheres through active trade exchange and stronger relations between businesses from various sectors in the UAE and Senegal.

For his part, the Senegalese foreign minister welcomed H.H. Sheikh Abdullah and the accompanying delegation. He praised the level of bilateral relations with Senegal and stressed that his country is also interested in promoting these relations to serve the common interests of both countries.

Praising overall progress taking place in the UAE, Minister Ndiaye noted that the Senegalese leaders is also interested in benefiting from the UAE experiences. He also praised the UAE for providing humanitarian support and development aid for Senegal.

H.H. Sheikh Abdullah and the counterpart chaired the first meeting of the UAE-Senegalese Joint Commission. Senior officials from various ministries and government departments of the two countries participated in the meeting.

In his opening statement at the meeting, H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed stressed that the UAE takes great interest in its relations with Senegal and is looking forward to more joint efforts to increase cooperation between the two countries in all spheres.

The two countries established diplomatic relations in the mid-1970's, and later in 2002, Senegal opened its embassy in Abu Dhabi, while the UAE opened its embassy in Dakar in 2008, H.H. Sheikh Abdullah noted, adding that the continuous joint efforts to enhance relations resulted in expanded cooperation reflected by a series of high-level exchange visits, including those by President Sall, whose latest visit to the UAE was in 2014.

Stressing that cooperation between officials of the two countries continues to make progress, H.H. Sheikh Abdullah called for increased joint work about international organisations and conferences and other important issues.

Sheikh Abdullah also thanked Senegal for supporting the UAE's bid for a non-permanent membership at UN Security Council between 2022-2023 and for its new bid for a seat at the UN Human Rights Council for the period 2016-2018.

He hoped that Senegal would also support the UAE's bid for a seat also at the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for the period 2017-2019, and its new bid for a seat at the International Atomic Energy Agency's Board of Governors for the period 2016-2018.

He noted that the growth of non-oil trade between the UAE and Senegal at a rate of 19.7 percent to US$451 million in 2014, compared to 2013, reflects the level of bilateral relations between the two countries.

He called for finding new ways to increase trade and stressed the importance of expanding the contribution of the private sector.

"This is just the beginning of Emirati investments in Senegal as the signing of economic agreements, including on double taxation and protection and encouragement of investment, will boost these investments. DP World, Emirates Airline already have investments in Senegal," H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed said.

H.H. the foreign minister added that four passenger flights a week and three cargo flights are being operated between the two countries. He praised Etihad Airways for deciding to operate a weekly flight from Abu Dhabi to Dakar.

These figures, Sheikh Abdullah noted, do not reflect the real growth taking place in this vital sector and therefore there is a need to increase the number of flights and remove any barriers to the growth of this sector.

Sheikh Abdullah also noted that the UAE provided AED53 million in aid to Senegal between 2010-214 to support development in the African country's education, healthcare and social services sectors, and AED193 million in loans to help in developing its water resources, agriculture and infrastructure.

Sheikh Abdullah commended the agreements and memorandums of understanding signed between the two countries during the meetings.

The deals will support and develop bilateral co-operation between the two countries.

The agreements include the agreement on the avoidance of double taxation, the agreement on the protection and promotion of investments, as well as the draft MoU on political consultations and another on co-operation in the field of communications and information.

He stressed the need for continuation of the Joint Commission meetings and follow-up implementation of the recommendations. Sheikh Abdullah thanked the heads and members of the preparatory committee for their diligent efforts to ensure the success of the meetings. He expressed hopes that the next sessions of the Joint Commission, will be held in Abu Dhabi.

For his part, the Senegalese foreign minister welcomed in his speech during the Joint Commission sessions, the UAE foreign minister and the accompanying delegation. He stressed the importance of the visit by Sheikh Abdullah to Senegal, which he said would further contribute to the promotion and consolidation of bilateral relations and availing an opportunity to discuss several important issues in the interest of the two friendly countries.

At the conclusion of the Joint Commission meetings, Sheikh Abdullah and Mankeur Ndiaye signed the agreement on the avoidance of double taxation and the agreement on the protection and promotion of investments, in addition to the signing of a draft MoU on political consultations and another on co-operation in the field of communications and information, and the minutes of the first session of the Joint Commission between the two countries.

Both foreign ministers also witnessed the signing of the MoU between Dubai Ports World and the Senegalese government to set up a logistics free zone near the new Senegalese airport and port. The MoU was signed by Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman of DP World and the Senegalese side by Ci Muntaqa, Director-General of Agency for the Promotion of Investments and Major Projects (APIX).

Sheikh Abdullah also attended the luncheon hosted in his honour and the accompanying delegation by the Senegalese foreign minister.

The Joint Commission sessions were attended by Fares Mohammed Al Mazrouei, Assistant Foreign Minister for Security and Military Affairs, Khalid Ghanim Al Ghaith, Assistant Foreign Minister for Economic Affairs and International Co-operation, Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman of DP World, and Mohammed Salem Al Rashidi, UAE Ambassador to the Republic of Senegal.