Envoy Lucie Berger highlights vast untapped potential in EU-UAE relations

The European Union’s ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Lucie Berger, has expressed optimism about the untapped potential in the relationship between the EU and the UAE. In an interview with The National to mark Europe Day, Ms. Berger highlighted the vast opportunities for cooperation between the two entities and expressed her desire to achieve tangible results during her tenure.

Ms. Berger emphasized the importance of collaboration between the EU and the UAE, citing areas such as regional stability, climate change, sustainable energy, digitalization, humanitarian aid, and development. She also mentioned the EU’s strategic partnership with the Gulf and the potential for a comprehensive agreement that encompasses trade, climate, energy, AI, security, and political dialogue.

One of the key points of discussion was the EU-GCC free trade deal, which Ms. Berger mentioned was still under consideration. She expressed willingness to explore unblocking the deal at a regional level and modernizing the framework to align with the current economic landscape.

On the topic of Gaza, Ms. Berger praised the UAE’s role in delivering humanitarian aid to the region and expressed a desire to expand this partnership to other conflict zones. She also highlighted the EU’s commitment to providing aid to Lebanon and emphasized the importance of addressing frozen or low-intensity conflicts before they escalate into violence.

Climate change was another focal point of the discussion, with Ms. Berger highlighting the potential for collaboration between the EU and the UAE to deliver meaningful outcomes at international climate conferences. She expressed confidence in maintaining the momentum from COP28 and working towards impactful results at COP29.

Despite the challenges and intensity of her role, Ms. Berger remains passionate about her work and is committed to making a difference in promoting peace and regional stability. She emphasized the EU’s success as a peace project and highlighted the bloc’s efforts to address security challenges in the Red Sea region.

Overall, Ms. Berger’s vision for the EU-UAE relationship is one of collaboration, partnership, and mutual benefit. As she navigates the complexities of her role, she remains focused on achieving tangible results and building a stronger, more resilient relationship between the EU and the UAE.