In the second episode of this Ukraine War Series, with H.E. Dmytro Senik, H.E. and I discuss the deepening ties between Ukraine and the United Arab of Emirates. This comes as both countries deepen relations, with the signing of CEPA, two weeks ago.
Editor-in-Chief, Gus Anderson: Ukraine has a lot of friends in Europe, especially in my country with the UK under Prime Minister Boris Johnson and now Sir Keir Starmer, but we have also seen Ukraine gain a lot of friends such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
Question: As Ambassador to the UAE, what are some of the steps that both Ukraine and the UAE have taken in the past few years and what do you think is binding Ukraine and the UAE together?
H.E. Dmytro Senik: Definitely. I think the UAE and Ukraine are bound together by the UN Charter, specifically international law. That was emphasised by the UAE on numerous occasions.
Hostage Diplomacy: UAE’s Role in Mediation
We are grateful to the UAE for successful mediation efforts, bringing our defenders home. Since the full-scale invasion in 2022, with the assistance of the UAE, we have brought back over 1, 500 Ukranian defenders.
Ukranians and their families highly appreciate that contribution.
Humanitarian Assistance: UAE’s Role on Humanitarian Aid
We are also grateful to the UAE for humanitarian assistance.
We talk about thousands of laptops for children who cannot attend school as they study from cellars on the frontlines.
The same goes for power generators, as Russia destroys more than 50% of power generating capacity in Ukraine, amid winter heating season. Russia tries to impose a genocide on Ukrainians by freezing Ukranians to death. This is achieved by destroying our thermal stations and generations as they provide electricity, including water pumping, which is a basic human need.
The UAE also became the first and leading partner in the construction of homes for foster families in Ukraine. Over the last two years, with assistance from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the UAE, we have constructed 10 houses for more than 10 families.
These families got hope, real hope, for a better future. Recently during the visit of the President Zelenskyy to the UAE, we concluded a memorandum to construct another 10 houses.
We cannot express how grateful we are to the UAE; it is more than houses, but real hope which we all need.
Bilateral Trade: CEPA
Looking ahead, despite all the hardships… all the blackouts and constant attacks by missiles and drones; both states had been working on concluding the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agremenet (CEPA).
I am glad to inform you and the audience that we’ve signed this very important agreement: the CEPA. It is more than a FTA, but a economic partnership which becomes the foundation for our future economic relations.
The CEPA encompasses areas from trade, to investments, to supporting SMEs, to establishing new instruments to promoting new investments and cooperation, the digital economy, and demonstrates the desire from boths sides to develop relations on both sides.
This is critical for our new chapter in future relations.
It is also the manifestation of trust that both Ukraine has in the UAE and UAE has in Ukraine.
I think it is a extremely important agreement and we look forward to seeing the CEPA enter into force as we await a few processes to be concluded.
This will pave the way for our future economic partnerships.
A Partnership for Ukraine’s Future Reconstruction
This agreement is a critical path for our reconstruction and recovery plan. With investments from the UAE, we aim to recover what was destroyed by Russia.
We look forward to working on renewables, that the UAE has incredible knowledge in, infrastructure projects, and many other sectors.
Ukraine, in turn, wants to contribute to UAE food security, UAE’s strive to become a leading technological hub, and I believe we are matching partners on this.
I want to emphasise that it took less than two years to complete the CEPA, which is remarkable.
For Ukraine, it is the second agreement of its kind in the MENA and the first agreement of its kind in the GCC.
Editor-in-Chief, Gus Anderson: Yes, it is also just the third European country to sign such a deal with the UAE.
H.E. Dmytro Senik: For Ukraine, it is also the first country of those states on the track of accession to the EU to sign such a deal with the UAE.
It is a historic milestone; a very important foundation for further relations.
It will pave the way for many future porjects that we are all looking forward to.
Keep up with Daily Euro Times for more updates!
Read also:
Three Years On: Third Commemoration of the Ukraine War (Part 1)
Talking Diplomacy at a Time of War
Ukraine Looks to the GCC At a Time of Crisis
