President Lee Jae Myung (right) on Jan. 15 shakes hands with Khaldoon Al Mubarak, chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority of the United Arab Emirates, at Cheong Wa Dae. (Cheong Wa Dae)

By Kim Hyelin

President Lee Jae Myung on Jan. 15 hosted talks at Cheong Wa Dae with Khaldoon Al Mubarak, chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and stressed the need for continued bilateral cooperation to produce tangible results.

"Korea and the UAE have agreed to build a relationship that lasts 100 years, a century-long union," President Lee said. "Please conduct a careful review of practical measures to quickly produce concrete and tangible outcomes."

He added his expectation of a state visit to Korea by UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan as soon as possible.

As his country's special envoy for Korea, Chairman Al Mubarak has promoted bilateral ties since 2009, when a Korean consortium won an order for the Barakah nuclear power plant in the UAE.

This was his second meeting with President Lee after their first in November last year during the latter's state visit to the UAE.

At his summit with UAE President Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President Lee agreed to bolster their special strategic partnership through expanding cooperation in the defense industry, artificial intelligence (AI) and energy.

"The UAE is an incredibly important ally for us," President Lee said. "I hope that your side keep closely communicating with Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik to broaden the scope of bilateral cooperation."

The chairman conveyed greetings from his president and expressed hope for further development of the bilateral partnership. He also pledged to work closely with Chief of Staff Kang to produce results.

In addition, Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun that day also spoke to the UAE official on follow-up measures for President Lee's UAE visit and raising cooperation in AI, national defense and the defense industry, nuclear power plants and energy.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun (right) on Jan. 15 speaks to Khaldoon Al Mubarak, chairman of the UAE Executive Affairs Authority, at the ministry compound in Seoul's Jongno-gu District. (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)