UAE becomes observer member of African Union

March 29, 2011 (ADDIS ABABA) – The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has become an observer member within the African Union, making it the first Gulf state and the second Arab country to join the 53-member African organization.

The announcement was made last week after Youssef Essa Hassan Sabri, UAE Ambassador to Ethiopia, delivered African Union chairperson, Jean Ping, a letter from Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan pertaining to UAE’s accession to the union as an observer member and the appointment of Ambassador Sabri as UAE’s observer at the African Union.

The new partnership is said to enhance cooperation ties of Africa with the Gulf states in particular and the Arab world as a whole.

The AU Commission chief, at a meeting with the ambassador at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, expressed happiness over the ratification of UAE’s accession as the observer member and spelt out his hope that UAE will play a crucial role in enhancing Arab-African relations.

The accession of the UAE to the African Union is considered one of the country’s major gains at an international forum.

The UAE’s accession will enable it to attend the AU summits and conferences and present topics and issues of importance that concern both UAE and Africa, thus paving the way to develop UAE relations with African countries.

In 16 March 2011 the AU chief has receives credentials of the Permanent Observer of the United Arab Emirates.

Jean Ping received in his office at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa the credentials of Youseif Eisa Hassan Alsabri as the first Permanent Observer of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to the African Union.

Strengthening cooperation ties with the Arab World is among the top priorities of the AU.

(ST)