First Meeting Since State Visit to UAE Two Months Ago
Discussions Expected on Defense and AI Cooperation
Chairman Khaldoon: "Will Work Closely with Kang Hoonshik, Whom I Regard as an Elder Brother, to Deliver Swift Results"
President Lee Invites UAE President for State Visit to Korea
On January 15, President Lee Jaemyung met with Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Affairs Authority of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and called for active discussions to achieve tangible results in bilateral cooperation. This meeting marked the first time President Lee met with Chairman Khaldoon since his state visit to the UAE in November last year, approximately two months ago.
At the main building of the presidential office on this day, President Lee met with Chairman Khaldoon, who is visiting Korea for three days from January 14 to 16, and stated, "Korea and the UAE have agreed to build a relationship that will last 100 years, what we call 'baeknyeonhaero' in Korean." He added, "Please review how we can achieve this in practical terms and deliver concrete and visible results."
He then addressed Chief of Staff Kang Hoonshik, who was also present, saying, "Chief Kang is in charge of joint projects with the UAE. Are you two getting along well?" President Lee emphasized, "We have prepared many detailed plans for bilateral cooperation during this time. I hope you will continue to consult closely and achieve significant outcomes."
President Lee also inquired about the well-being of President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. He said, "It would be good to have a state visit to Korea soon to discuss more specific matters," and added, "I believe he will visit in the near future, and I hope we can prepare well to achieve substantial results then."
In response, Chairman Khaldoon said, "President Mohamed especially asked me to convey his warm gratitude and regards," and added, "I was delighted and happy to welcome President Lee as a brother and friend in the UAE."
Chairman Khaldoon continued, "President Lee's visit had a significant impact throughout the UAE. Our people watched with great interest, and there are high expectations for how the special strategic partnership between our two countries will develop."
He also promised close cooperation with Chief Kang. "As President Lee mentioned, I will work with Chief Kang, whom I consider like an elder brother, to deliver results," he said. "President Mohamed also stressed that it is important to achieve as many visible results as possible in the shortest possible time."
He further expressed gratitude for President Lee's invitation to Korea, which he described as President Mohamed's 'second home.' "If the Korean side proposes a convenient date, we will coordinate to make his visit possible, and we will use that opportunity to achieve many results," he added.
Meanwhile, during Chairman Khaldoon's visit, the government plans to further specify follow-up measures for MOUs signed at the Korea-UAE summit, covering artificial intelligence (AI), healthcare and medical services, culture, defense industry, nuclear power, energy, and investment. In particular, ahead of the UAE President's visit to Korea, the two sides aim to lay the groundwork for detailed working-level discussions on defense industry cooperation by February. There is also a possibility of continued discussions regarding cooperation on the 'UAE Stargate Project,' which is estimated to have an economic impact of around 20 billion dollars.
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