Mihkelson: Establishing of a mission in the United Arab Emirates requires participation in EXPO
At the comprehensive discussion held today in the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia), it was emphasised that the precondition for opening Estonia’s diplomatic and trade representation in the Gulf Region was participation in Dubai EXPO.
“After hearing today’s discussion, it can be said that participation in EXPO is a very important precondition for the success of the Estonian diplomatic and trade mission in the region,” Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Marko Mihkelson said. “The business culture there is different from ours, and it is a completely new world to many. If Estonia does not participate in EXPO, it may cause problems to the Estonian entrepreneurs who already work in there, and also to the activities of the Estonian diplomatic and trade mission in the Gulf Region.”
According to Mihkelson, the hosts have let it know that they will support Estonia’s participation in EXPO in every way.
It was pointed out at the meeting of the Committee that in recent years, Estonia’s export to the Gulf Region had increased several times, and the growth trend continued. In the opinion of the Chairman of the Committee, it is therefore natural that Estonia will establish a representation in the region where the majority of the European Union member states are already represented.
Mihkelson thinks that Estonia should also continue dealing with the international agreements that enable to establish bilateral relations, aviation contracts and agreements for the avoidance of double taxation that are necessary for foreign trade.
At the sitting, representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, the Ministry of the Interior, the Internal Security Service and Enterprise Estonia gave an overview of the developing of Estonia’s bilateral relations with the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Ambassador of Estonia in the United Arab Emirates, the State of Qatar and the State of Kuwait Sander Soone participated in the sitting via video conference.
Riigikogu Press Service
Epp-Mare Kukemelk
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