UAE-Bahrain COVID-19 response is a model of cooperation: Sheikh Abdullah

The rapid response shown by the UAE and Bahrain during the COVID-19 pandemic is a model for cooperation between regional partners.

That's according to His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, who made the statement while co-chairing the virtual Joint UAE-Bahrain Committee with the Bahraini Foreign Minister Dr Abdulatif bin Rashid Al Zayani.

"The 9th session of the Joint UAE-Bahrain Committee is convening under exceptional circumstances that have contributed to enhancing collaboration between the two fraternal nations," Sheikh Abdullah said, adding that the UAE is looking forward to growing cooperation to overcome the current crisis.

He highlighted the achievements made by both countries in the field of aviation, and congratulated the Kingdom on the opening of the new terminal at Bahrain International Airport.

Sheikh Abdullah called on the relevant authorities to review accelerating flights between the two nations, ahead of the potential imminent return to normalcy.

"We are determined to keep our bilateral relations, not only developing and well-established but also dynamic. There are several opportunities for us to come closer during the coronavirus crisis. Therefore we have to continue working and looking for new prospects for developing these relations and build on the directives made by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa and His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa, as the two sides share the same common will to develop our relations across all fronts," he said.

"We are looking forward to fostering cooperation across various strategic sectors, primarily, health, technology, AI, and renewable energy. We're also looking forward to the Kingdom's support for UAE's nomination for the membership of a number of international and multilateral organisations, including the membership of the International Maritime Organisation - Category-B for 2022-2023 during the elections which will run in London this year.

"The tireless efforts made by the two nations through the joint committee have advanced the bilateral economic ties, with our non-oil trade volume growing over the past years from $4.6 billion in 2017 to $7.8 billion in 2019," the UAE top diplomat noted.

The two ministers also signed three agreements.

The first involved the UAE Committee for Goods and Material Subjected to Import and Export Control, and the Bahraini National Committee on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapon and their Destruction.

The second centred on cooperation in the media sector, while the third involved the UAE Zoo & Aquarium Public Institution and Al Areen Wildlife Park & Reserve in Bahrain.

In addition, they signed two deals on the Executive Programme in the Field of Electricity and Water 2021 to 2023 and the Executive Programme in the Field of Environmental Protection and Climate Affairs 2021 to 2023.