UAE President and Afghanistan Interior Minister discuss bilateral relations and cooperation

HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, President of the UAE, received a delegation from Afghanistan led by the country’s Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani on Tuesday. During the meeting, both sides discussed bilateral relations and strategies to contribute to stability in the region.

Sheikh Mohamed and Haqqani discussed strengthening the bonds of cooperation and methods to enhance relations to serve mutual interests. The discussions focused on economic and development fields, besides support for reconstruction and development in Afghanistan.

For his part, Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani expressed his pleasure at meeting His Highness and praised the distinguished UAE-Afghanistan bilateral relations. Both sides engaged in the high-profile discussions at Al Shati Palace in the UAE capital.

UAE reopens embassy in Kabul

In November 2021, the UAE reopened its embassy in Kabul. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid took to X to note the development as “a positive step towards more positive steps. The UAE and Afghanistan already have good relationships, which need to be strengthened.”

Prior to the Taliban takeover of Kabul, most of the foreign embassies had closed their diplomatic mission in the country due to escalating violence. After the Taliban seized power, the UAE hosted several Afghan families fleeing, after they got evacuated.

The UAE has also sent numerous planes transporting medical and food supplies to Kabul since the outbreak of the humanitarian crisis. Back in September 2021, the Taliban announced the formation of an interim government in the country.

UAE aid to Afghanistan over earthquake disasters

In July 2022, the Emirati government sent three planes carrying a 1,000 sq m field hospital to offer relief to earthquake victims in Afghanistan. It came as part of continuous efforts deployed by the Gulf state to operate an air bridge to alleviate the sufferings of Afghans.

President Sheikh Mohamed issued directives to provide urgent aid for those affected. The UAE sent tonnes of food supplies as part of the relief air bridge, besides a notable amount of equipment and a medical team to operate the hospital and provide medical services.

Afghanistan suffered another quake in March 2023, prompting the UAE to send urgent medical and food supplies. The tremors resulted in multiple fatalities and injuries and destroyed basic infrastructure. The Gulf state did the same in October quake, too.

UAE-Afghanistan bilateral, economic, cultural ties

In terms of cultural cooperation, in recent years, the UAE and Afghanistan have also signed several key agreements on education, mining, energy and sports cooperation, in an effort to enhance and develop joint collaboration between both countries.

In terms of economic ties, the UAE has affirmed its commitment to assisting Afghan people in achieving their vision towards peace and stability, mainly in humanitarian and development initiatives. The UAE aid to Afghanistan during 2012-2017 surpassed $433 million.

In terms of bilateral relationship, the Emirates has made a significant contribution to the construction process in Afghanistan. The Gulf state has been assisting the country in different sectors. The total UAE aid to Afghanistan from 2001-2012 costs $1.5 billion.