UAE and US hold joint consular meeting in Washington

The UAE and the US held the fourth session of their Joint Consular Committee in Washington, to enhance cooperation in all joint consular fields, aiming to provide outstanding consular support and services to the citizens of the two countries. 

The meeting was chaired by Under-Secretary of the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Khalid Abdulla Belhoul, and Acting Assistant Secretary at the Bureau of Consular Affairs in the US Department of State, Hugo Rodriguez.

Belhoul conveyed the greetings of His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, and his praise for the positive developments between the two countries. He stressed the UAE’s commitment to and interest in strengthening and further developing the relations between the two countries, reflecting the wise leadership's aspirations and directives. 

During the meeting, Belhoul praised the historic relations that linked the UAE and the USA since 1972 and the distinguished and strategic solid ties built upon mutual understanding and respect. He also expressed the UAE’s appreciation of the efforts made by the US side to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries, which witnessed remarkable progress in all fields in recent years.

The two sides discussed a number of common consular issues related to citizens affairs, and proposed several initiatives aimed at streamlining services to meet the expectations and aspirations of their citizens, while fulfilling the strategic plans of both countries in the consular field.

Representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security, as well as counterparts from the competent authorities in the USA, took part in the meeting.