Canberra (Australia): Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation, recently led a high-level delegation to Australia, aimed at enhancing bilateral relations between the two nations in various sectors, including politics, economy, and trade.
During the official visit, Minister Al Hashimy met with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Canberra, joined by Dr. Fahad Obaid Al Taffag, UAE Ambassador to Australia, and officials from Edge Holdings Group. Also present was Penny Wong, Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs. The discussions reaffirmed both countries’ commitment to strengthen their partnership as they prepare to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations next year.
The meeting agenda covered topics such as trade, investment, aviation, and renewable energy. Minister Al Hashimy emphasized the dynamic nature of the UAE-Australia relations, highlighting the frequent high-level visits as a testament to their growing partnership.
In a separate meeting with Richard Marles, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence of Australia, the discussions continued on enhancing bilateral relations and exploring new avenues for cooperation across various fields. Both parties expressed a keen interest in boosting economic and trade links to foster growth and prosperity for their nations.
Trade between the UAE and Australia has seen a significant uptick, with non-oil trade exchange growing by 16.3 percent over the past four years.
Additionally, the visit included a poignant moment at the Australian War Memorial, where Minister Al Hashimy laid a flower wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. She also honored Zomi Frankcom, an Australian humanitarian who was killed in Gaza on April 1, 2024, by placing a wreath at the International Humanitarian Memorial.
Minister Al Hashimy reiterated the UAE’s condemnation of violence against humanitarian workers and stressed the importance of adhering to international humanitarian law, reflecting the deep values shared between the UAE and Australia in promoting peace and respect for human rights.
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