Qatar, UAE sign deals as regional security concerns loom

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

Qatar and the United Arab Emirates pledged to deepen cooperation and strengthen regional coordination as senior officials met in Abu Dhabi for the seventh session of their Joint Higher Committee, against a backdrop of heightened Gulf tensions.

The meeting was co-chaired by Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani and UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

In remarks opening the session, Sheikh Mohammed said the meeting was “of utmost importance” for advancing bilateral relations across multiple sectors, adding that it reflected the continued support of the leaderships of Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

He said the two sides were meeting at a “sensitive stage” marked by “rapid developments” in the Gulf, referring to security challenges and tensions linked to the Strait of Hormuz and regional military escalations, which he said underscored the need for closer consultation and coordinated diplomacy.

“Today’s meeting is an extension of our previous efforts to develop relations and invest in available opportunities between the two brotherly countries,” Sheikh Mohammed said, according to remarks released by Qatar.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, for his part, said the committee reflected “deep fraternal ties” between the two countries and a shared commitment to expanding cooperation.

He said the UAE sought to enhance “strategic connectivity and economic integration,” particularly in energy and related sectors, including oil and gas, to strengthen supply chain resilience and expand investment opportunities.

The committee discussed cooperation in trade, investment, energy, education, culture, health, transport, environment, sports and other fields, officials said.

At the session's conclusion, both sides signed the meeting minutes and witnessed the signing of several memoranda of understanding, including agreements on investment protection, food security and agricultural cooperation, and municipal and transport collaboration.