UAE-Malaysia relations: A long-term relationship in all areas

Abu Dhabi: Official visit of Sheikh Khalid bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al NahyanAbu Dhabi Crown Prince’s visit to Malaysia constitutes a paradigm shift in the long-standing and promising bilateral relationship between the two friendly countries.

This visit presents an ideal opportunity to push these relationships towards broader cooperation and steady development for the benefit of both countries and peoples. This took place within the framework of mutual and ongoing official visits and meetings between senior officials of the two countries, underscoring the depth and solidity of the relationship between the two countries.

The close relationship between President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Majesty the King of Malaysia, Sultan Abdullah Riyaddin Mustafa Bila Shah is One of the most important factors in strengthening the bilateral relationship between the two countries.

Given Malaysia’s omnipresence and importance in its regional environment, Malaysia has received special attention in the UAE’s strategy to expand its network of relations and cooperation with Southeast Asian countries in various fields.

Relations between the two countries have been strengthening, especially after the establishment of the Malaysian Embassy in Abu Dhabi in 1983 and the UAE Embassy in Kuala Lumpur in 1995. In November 2017, the UAE and Malaysia signed two memorandums of understanding on political consultations and the establishment of the United Kingdom. A joint cooperative committee.

Economic relations between the two countries are growing strongly and prospering as the UAE is the number one destination for Malaysian exports and the second largest source of imports from West Asia.

The UAE is Malaysia’s largest economic partner in the Middle East and West Asia, with non-oil trade between the two countries reaching about US$4.3 billion in 2021, up 20% from US$3.5 billion in 2020.

The annual “Desert Tiger” joint exercise demonstrates the desire of the two countries to share military experience and strengthen military cooperation. The joint exercise is part of a larger effort by the leaders of the two countries to establish a distinguished partnership and expand areas of cooperation to achieve the common goal of exchanging knowledge between the two sides and enhancing military capabilities to improve performance and combat effectiveness, and teamwork.

During the International Defense Exhibition (IDEX 2023), the ground forces of the two countries signed an agreement on military cooperation in the fields of training, coordination and exchange of experience.

The cooperation between the two countries in response to COVID-19 constitutes an example of constructive international cooperation to tackle the epidemic and contain its humanitarian impact.

In March 2020, the UAE sent an aid plane carrying 20,000 COVID-19 test kits to Malaysia. It also dispatched another medical equipment plane carrying 14,000 units of sanitizer in mid-May.

Apart from this, the Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation is also providing food assistance during Ramadan 2020 to alleviate the suffering of those in need due to the COVID pandemic. More than 100 entities and thousands of individuals have benefited.

The demographic and cultural diversity of the UAE and Malaysia reflect the values ​​of tolerance and moderation shared by both countries.

Malaysia is an educational destination for Emirati students studying at its universities, especially in the fields of management, accounting and law.