The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, met yesterday with His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates. Minister Joly and Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed discussed a number of priorities and reaffirmed their commitment to work together on international issues, including global and regional security. The two Ministers exchanged views on a range of international and regional security challenges, including the crisis in Gaza and Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Minister Joly thanked Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed for the United Arab Emirates leadership in the humanitarian response to the conflict and for being a critical partner in working toward a resolution. The Ministers discussed the humanitarian crisis facing Palestinian civilians and agreed on the need to increase access to humanitarian aid through all means possible. Minister Joly committed that Canada will join the international coalition working together to increase the flow of aid to Gaza through a humanitarian sea corridor originating from Cyprus.
Minister Joly reiterated her commitment to advancing the Canada-United Arab Emirates bilateral relationship, including through strong economic ties.
Minister Joly welcomed the momentum in the Canada-United Arab Emirates bilateral relationship as we celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations this year and expressed Canada's interest in continued engagement.
