UAE, Spain Foreign Ministers hold talks to boost ties

Wednesday, 21 May 2025 at 10:39

By WAM

Foreign ministers of the UAE and Spain have explored opportunities to strengthen cooperation in the economic and commercial sectors.

During a call, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, and José Manuel Albares, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Spain, discussed ways to enhance bilateral relations between the two nations.

The ministers also reviewed a number of regional and international issues of common concern, national news agency Wam reported.

Both countries share strong economic and cultural relations, with tourism sector benefitting the most. In 2024, Spain welcomed over 200,000 visitors from the UAE.

The number of flights between the UAE and Spain totalled to approximately 48 weekly services, operated by airlines of both countries.

In May this year, UAE Minister of Economy, Abdulla Bin Touq Al, had explored ways to strengthen partnership in the tourism sector during talks with Rosario Sánchez Grau, Spanish Secretary of State for Tourism.

At the time, Bin Touq highlighted the importance of the UAE Tourism Strategy 2031 and its key role in supporting the sustainability and competitiveness of the country’s tourism sector over the next decade. "The UAE continues to support initiatives and projects aimed at sustaining global tourism growth, fostering collaboration with the UN Tourism and its member states, and expanding cooperation in various tourism sub-sectors," he had added.

During the meeting, the ministers had also explored the potential of establishing new partnerships to increase mutual tourism flows.