UAE, European Commission To Begin Talks On Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen have agreed to start talks on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the UAE and the European Union.

During a conversation over the phone, Al Nahyan underlined the strong relationship between the UAE and the EU and their shared commitment to deepening these ties, especially in the area of economic cooperation, WAM reported.

He also said that beginning CEPA negotiations showed a common goal to explore more opportunities for working together and to boost trade, investment, and development between the two sides.

The UAE president said that once the CEPA was finalized, it will open up new opportunities for the country and the EU to work together, boost trade and investment, and build stronger connections between their business communities.

He also highlighted that the relationship between the UAE and the EU was based on shared goals of stability, growth, and prosperity.

Meanwhile, von der Leyen also spoke about the strong ties between the UAE and the EU. She said that starting CEPA talks marked the beginning of a stronger and more active phase in their economic partnership.

The announcement came after a Joint Statement of Intent was signed by the UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, and EU Trade Commissioner, Valdis Dombrovskis, agreeing to start talks on a UAE-EU CEPA.

The European Union is the UAE's second-biggest trading partner, making up 8.3% of the UAE's total non-oil trade. In 2024, trade between the UAE and the EU (excluding oil) reached $67.6 billion, which is a 3.6% increase from the previous year.

The UAE is also the EU's top export and investment partner in the Middle East and North Africa. The CEPA aims to reduce tariffs, remove unnecessary trade obstacles, and make it easier for goods and services to move between both markets.

It is expected to create new opportunities in areas like advanced manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, and artificial intelligence.

Last month, the UAE signed 26 CEPAs with key countries and international groups, strengthening its regional and global economic position.

The CEPA program, launched in September 2021, continues to expand in 2025 with five new agreements signed with Malaysia, New Zealand, Kenya, Ukraine, and the Central African Republic.