Rashid Abdullah Al-Qasir welcomed Sarah Mooney as the new UK Consul General in Dubai, underscoring UAE-UK diplomatic relations. Simultaneously, Egypt’s Dr. Badr Abdel-Aaty discussed enhancing trade ties with the UK, emphasizing a trade volume of nearly 5 billion pounds. Humanitarian efforts were highlighted with Egypt’s commitment to support Gaza, alongside plans for future healthcare collaboration and upcoming business meetings.
On March 18, 2025, Rashid Abdullah Al-Qasir, the Deputy Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dubai, formally presented consular credentials to Sarah Mooney, the new UK Consul General for Dubai and the Northern Emirates. This ceremony, held at the Ministry’s office, highlighted the longstanding productive relationships between the UAE and the UK. Al-Qasir expressed his wish for Mooney’s success in her new role, reinforcing the significance of her appointment in strengthening diplomatic ties.
Simultaneously, high-level discussions took place between Egypt and the UK, involving Dr. Badr Abdel-Aaty, Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Yasmin Qureshi, a UK MP and British Trade Envoy to Egypt. Their meeting aimed to enhance trade and investment partnerships. Abdel-Aaty highlighted the robust trading relationship, noting trade exchanges neared 5 billion pounds sterling, indicating potential growth in economic collaboration.
Abdel-Aaty conveyed optimism about future partnerships, referencing the Egyptian-British agreement established in December 2020. This understanding aims to expand mutual interests and tackle unresolved issues, a focus stemming from a recent Egyptian-British partnership council meeting earlier this year.
Furthermore, humanitarian efforts were discussed during a meeting between Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar and Qureshi, addressing Egypt’s commitment to providing medical assistance to Gaza. This meeting took place at the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population in the New Administrative Capital, emphasizing Egypt’s commitment to relief efforts for the injured amid ongoing conflict since October 2023.
Abdel Ghaffar reaffirmed Egypt’s dedication to humanitarian principles, indicating strong support for Gaza through medical aid and treatment of the injured at Egyptian medical facilities. He detailed the despatch of medical convoys aimed at supporting the strained healthcare systems due to the conflict.
Dr. Hossam Abdel Ghaffar, the Ministry’s spokesperson, outlined Egypt’s strategic plans for rehabilitating Gaza’s healthcare sector. Initiatives launched since October focus on immediate healthcare needs, such as medical examinations and child vaccinations, with 150 ambulances positioned at the border to expedite urgent care.
The discussions also highlighted the involvement of international organizations like the WHO and UNICEF, focusing on a collaborative approach to surpass health crises. They considered adopting British innovations in treating serious medical conditions, such as cancer and diabetes.
Qureshi commended Egypt for its proactive humanitarian efforts, particularly towards Palestinians, stating, “I deeply appreciate Egypt’s efforts to support Palestine.” This respect fosters wider collaboration, hinting at possible cooperations involving British companies like AstraZeneca in Egyptian healthcare advancements.
British Ambassador Gareth Bayley attended, lauding Egypt’s essential role and inviting Abdel Ghaffar to the forthcoming British Egyptian Business Association (BEBA) meeting in May. He commended the initiatives taken by Egypt and looked forward to ongoing cooperation in health, trade, and humanitarian assistance.
Overall, these engagements underscore the importance of the relationships between Egypt and the UK. They signify proactive diplomatic interactions aimed at solving present issues while laying down a foundation for future mutual benefits between the two nations.
The recent engagement between the UAE and the UK, marked by the appointment of a new consul and discussions about trade and humanitarian aid, showcases the enduring partnership between these nations. Both the UAE and Egypt are pursuing collaborative efforts to strengthen trade, investment, and healthcare initiatives while addressing humanitarian needs, highlighting a commitment to mutual growth and support.
Original Source: evrimagaci.org
