UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan to meet Foreign Minister Valtonen
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates, H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, will visit Finland on 14–15 March on the invitation of Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen. This year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Finland and the United Arab Emirates.
The foreign ministers will discuss bilateral political and commercial relations between the countries, the security situation in Europe and the Middle East, and cooperation on multilateral issues.
“The Gulf countries play an important role in international politics and in easing tensions in the Middle East. The relations between the EU and the Gulf countries have also become considerably closer recently. Engaging in dialogue on common concerns and finding ways to address them is important,” says Minister for Foreign Affairs Valtonen.
Like other countries in the region, the United Arab Emirates wants to diversify and modernise its economy, which is focused on the production of fossil fuels. The EU and the Gulf countries will strengthen their cooperation by utilising safe, sustainable and low-carbon technologies in energy investments and trade. Finnish businesses can offer digital services, renewable energy and circular economy solutions, health technology and cooperation in the field of education, among other things.
Minister of Foreign Affairs bin Zayed Al Nahyan will also meet with President of the Republic Alexander Stubb. Moreover, the Minister will tour the Helsinki Central Library Oodi and visit a Finnish school with Minister Wille Rydman.
Related News
UAE and Finnish Presidents discuss bilateral cooperation and regional developments
UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan received a phone call today from His Excellency Alexander Stubb, President of the Republic of Finland, during which they discussed bilateral cooperation and opportunities to further strengthen ties, particularly in the economic and development fields, in support of mutual interests and the growth and prosperity of both countries.
View Details
Dubai’s position as an international aviation hub could also give Finnish passengers easier access to destinations beyond the UAE, including across Asia and Africa
Around 28,000 Finnish tourists travelled to the UAE last year, while only 854 Emirati travellers visited Finland — a gap the country's ambassador to Finland and Estonia believes could start to close with the launch of a new year-round direct flight between the two countries.
View Details
UAE, Finland promote government development partnership at Helsinki Experience Exchange Forum
The Governments of the UAE and the Republic of Finland organized the Government Experience Exchange Forum in the Finnish capital, Helsinki, as part of the partnership between the two countries in government development and the exchange of knowledge and experiences. The forum brought together a group of senior government officials, policymakers, experts and specialists from both countries.
View Details
28,000 Finnish tourists visited the UAE in 2025
The UAE Ambassador to Finland and Estonia, Amna Fikri, told Emarat Al Youm that the launch of Emirates’ direct air route between the UAE and Finland would enhance opportunities for economic and investment cooperation between the two countries. The new route comes amid ongoing negotiations between the UAE and the European Union on a free trade agreement. Fikri noted that approximately 28,000 Finnish tourists visited the UAE in 2025, compared with around 854 Emirati tourists who visited Finland.
View Details