Brussels, 10 April (LaPresse) – ‘Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed and I have just decided to start negotiations on a free trade agreement between the EU and the United Arab Emirates. This agreement will strengthen our bilateral relations and contribute to the prosperity of the region as a whole.’ This was announced by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. This marks a positive step forward in EU-UAE relations and, together with the negotiation of broader strategic partnership agreements, can act as a catalyst for stronger ties between the EU and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the Commission writes.