- Your Excellency, on May 20, you presented the letters of credence to His Excellency President Rumen Radev as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Arab Emirates to the Republic of Bulgaria. What is the Republic of Bulgaria for the United Arab Emirates?
- Firstly, I would like to express my pride at the honor bestowed upon me by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the State, by choosing me as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Arab Emirates to the Republic of Bulgaria, which is considered for one of the friendly countries that has close relations with the Emirates, based on mutual respect and working together to achieve common interests.
The United Arab Emirates appreciates the active role of the Republic of Bulgaria through its active membership in the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) for the contribution to achieving stability in the region of Southeast Europe, the Balkan region and the Black Sea region , which gives it a special regional and European status.
- How do you assess the state of bilateral relations between the United Arab Emirates and the Republic of Bulgaria today?
- I am pleased to commend the close bilateral relations between our two countries and their constant endeavor to strengthen cooperation in all political, economic, cultural and investment fields, as relations today witness deepening of contacts and mutual visits between the leaders of both sides.
His Excellency President Rumen Radev's visit to Abu Dhabi and his meeting with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, in September 2022 contributed to the opening of new horizons for cooperation between both countries, strengthen bilateral relations and create the foundations for joint cooperation on the international stage.
This visit witnessed the signing of many agreements, most notably the Strategic Partnership Agreement, which raised the possibility of cooperation to a more effective stage in all fields to achieve growth and prosperity for the two friendly countries and their peoples.
- What are the main topics you put on your agenda to improve and strengthen bilateral relations between the United Arab Eworlds and the Republic of Bulgaria?
- In my capacity as the ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to the Republic of Bulgaria, I see that there is still a lot of potential and opportunities on both sides, which should be used to strengthen the cooperation between the two countries, especially in the trade, economic and investment sectors, as it is necessary to activate all signed agreements and work to create effective frameworks for entering into real implementation of the strategic partnership agreement in all sectors, with activation of high-level mutual visits between the two countries, continuation of political consultations and holding the first session of the Joint Governmental Committee for Economic and Technical Cooperation.
There is great potential to support and activate bilateral cooperation in the security, defense, military and judicial spheres.
- The United Arab Emirates follows a parallel policy which has earned them special appreciation and respect from all over the world. What are the characteristics of this balanced policy?
- The UAE's diplomacy has achieved a wide openness to the outside world, which has led to the establishment of strategic political, economic, trade, cultural, scientific, educational and health partnerships with many countries on different continents of the world, a balanced and wise foreign policy has strengthened the prestigious position of the UAE, which it holds regionally and internationally, and made them a place of trust as a responsible country and a supporting force for peace and stability, and worked to confirm the determinants of the Emirate's diplomacy, leading to the establishment of numerous partnerships with many countries on different continents of the world, due to its character of peace and brotherhood and its desire to spread the values of cooperation, communication and integration among the countries and peoples of the world.
Therefore, the Emirate's relations with the world are witnessing, day by day, a significant expansion in all areas and at all levels, in a manner that serves the highest national interests and is in the interest of the process of development at home, beyond In addition, the UAE's regional presence has strengthened internationally and delved into the issues and files raised in the region and world plans, especially with what distinguishes this. Orientations and positions of moderation, wisdom and concern for the stability, security and development of the world.
- The United Arab Emirates is considered an excellent model in the implementation of the humanitarian diplomacy approach, which has made them occupy a prominent international place. What are the pillars of this policy?
- Indeed, there are characteristics of diplomatic policy, for example, public, economic, cultural, scientific diplomacy, cyber diplomacy, energy, education and health diplomacy, but with the United Arab Emirates, the world is witnessing another type of diplomacy, which is “humanitarian diplomacy&rdquo ;.
Since the founding of its federation in 1971 under the leadership of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may God rest his soul, the UAE has sought to establish the concept of humanitarian diplomacy that focuses on priority areas , which include the fight against poverty, disease and epidemics, and maternal and child care, in addition to sectoral programs in many developing countries, such as transport, infrastructure, increasing government efficiency and women's empowerment.
In this context, foreign aid provided by the UAE falls into three main categories: development aid, humanitarian aid and charitable aid. At the same time, the UAE government always works to not link the humanitarian aid it provides to the foreign policies of the countries that benefit from it, nor to other considerations such as location, race, color, sect, religion, etc. n., because it aims above all to achieve humanitarian goals, which are limited to... In the needs of the people, that is, the elimination of poverty and hunger, and the creation of development projects for everyone who needs them.
This humanitarian diplomacy of the UAE represents a real translation of the culture of tolerance and coexistence adopted by the country. This diplomacy also contributes to establishing relations with the recipient country to cooperate in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, reaffirming the UAE's commitment to its foreign aid policy between 2022 and 2026, a policy that focuses on on providing support for the achievement of the seventeen sustainable development goals contained in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The most important of these goals are working to provide affordable clean energy, supporting quality education, promoting good health and well-being, developing industry and innovation, ensuring decent work, growing the economy, establishing constructive partnerships, establishing peace and justice, and confronting climate change. The UAE's humanitarian diplomacy is in line with the strategic partnership established with the United Nations through a range of programs and initiatives under the umbrella of global humanitarian assistance, peace and security, climate and partnerships for a better world.
Interview of Olya Al-Ahmed