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South African-United Arab Emirates relations refer to the bilateral relations between South Africa and the United Arab Emirates. South Africa has an embassy in Abu Dhabi. United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Pretoria.
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Diplomatic relations began when Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al-Nahyan visited South Africa in 1994 for the inauguration of President Nelson Mandela. The first UAE ambassador arrived in South Africa on 12 November 1995. [1]
Economic ties between South Africa and the UAE have been particularly strong, with the UAE serving as an important trade and investment partner for South Africa in the Middle East. South Africa is one of the largest trading partners of the UAE in Africa, with bilateral trade between the two countries valued at over $3 billion in 2013. [2] By 2021, South Africa exported US$4.47 billion to the UAE with the most significant exports being gold, diamonds and ferroalloys whilst the UAE exported US$ 2.4 billion mostly consisting of petroleum products and copper. [3]
Cultural exchanges between South Africa and the UAE have also been significant, with both countries hosting various events and festivals to showcase their respective cultures. South African artists and performers have participated in events in the UAE, while Emirati cultural delegations have visited South Africa to promote intercultural understanding and cooperation.[ citation needed ]
In recent years, there have been some challenges in the South African-UAE relationship. In 2022, two wanted fugitives, Atul and Rajesh Gupta, were arrested in the UAE on an Interpol red notice issued by South Africa to face fraud and money-laundering charges. [4] [5] [6] The Guptas were controversially released by the UAE on a technicality [7] [8] with both government blaming each other for the failed extradition. [9] It was reported in South Africa that the South African government was informed of the failed extradition six weeks after the Guptas lawyers had been informed thereby giving the Guptas time to leave the country. [10] This caused a serious diplomatic incident between the two countries. [11]
A few days after it was announced in South Africa that the Guptas would not be extradited to South Africa it was reported in the South African media that President of the UAE, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and his family landed at the Waterkloof Air Force Base during their vacation to a South African game lodge in the Eastern Cape. The landing drew comparisons to the illegal landing of Gupta family members (known as Guptagate) at the same air force base to attend a wedding 10 years before. [12] [13] During the same trip Al Nahyan had also landed at Bhisho Airport following a R20 million upgrade to it paid for by the UAE. [14] [15]
Air Force Base Waterkloof {AFB Wklf} is an airbase of the South African Air Force. It is situated on the outskirts of Pretoria, and is the SAAF's busiest airbase. The base's name means "water ravine" Afrikaans and Dutch. Despite the name, this base is not located in the suburban town of Waterkloof, Pretoria, but lies to the south of Pretoria, 4.34 nmi (8.04 km) to the northeast of Centurion, Gauteng and 3.37 nmi (6.24 km) from AFB Swartkop, at an elevation of 1506 metres (4940 ft).
Russia–South Africa relations are foreign relations between Russia and South Africa. Full diplomatic relations were established between both countries in 1942 as the Soviet Union. Russia has an embassy in Pretoria and a consulate-general in Cape Town. South Africa has an embassy in Moscow. Both countries are also members of BRICS.
Pakistan–United Arab Emirates relations refer to bilateral relations between the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates. These relations date back to the UAE's formation in 1971, and have since evolved into wide-ranging co-operation in various fields. Pakistan was the first country to extend recognition of the United Arab Emirates, while the UAE has previously been a donor of economic and financial assistance to Pakistan it has happened the other way too. UAE recognizes Pakistan's contribution to the evolution of key institutions in the Emirates while Pakistan recognizes UAE's investment in Pakistan's economy and infrastructure. Both countries' populations share the same faith and are majorly Muslim.
Turkey and the United Arab Emirates share extensive cultural, military and economic ties, but relations have substantially deteriorated since Arab Spring, and later started to recover in the recent years.
France–United Arab Emirates relations are the foreign relations between France and the United Arab Emirates.
India–United Arab Emirates relations are the bilateral relations that exist between the Republic of India and the United Arab Emirates. Since 3000 B.C., India and the UAE, including its precursor emirates, had close relations with ancient trade networks. Sumerians traded with Meluhha, Magan, and Dilmun (Bahrain), connecting through the UAE. Maritime routes facilitated Arab trade with India for silk, spices, gold, and porcelain. Sumerians traded with Meluhha, Magan, and Dilmun (Bahrain), connecting through the UAE. Maritime routes facilitated Arab trade with India for silk, spices, gold, and porcelain. Post-1971, India-UAE relations strengthened politically, economically, and culturally.
China – United Arab Emirates relations refer to the diplomatic relations between the People's Republic of China and the United Arab Emirates. Diplomatic ties were first established in 1984. The UAE maintains an embassy in Beijing and a consulate-general in Hong Kong while China has an embassy in Abu Dhabi and consulate-general in Dubai. The UAE and China have been strong international allies, with significant cooperation across economic, political and cultural aspects.
Bilateral ties exist between Australia and the United Arab Emirates. The UAE maintains an embassy in Canberra whilst Australia has an embassy in Abu Dhabi and a consulate-general in Dubai.
Kenya–United Arab Emirates relations are the bilateral relations between Kenya and the United Arab Emirates.
The United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Amman, and Jordan maintains an embassy in Abu Dhabi and a consulate-general in Dubai. Both countries are part of the Middle East region and share close cultural ties. Most notably, Princess Haya bint Al Hussein of Dubai is of Jordanian origin.
Somalia–United Arab Emirates relations are bilateral relations between Somalia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Both nations are Arab League members and engage in close development cooperation. Somalia also has an embassy in Abu Dhabi, and the UAE maintains an embassy in Mogadishu.
Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) established diplomatic relations in 1976. The diplomatic relations are important because both share the solidarity as Muslim majority countries. Indonesia has an embassy in Abu Dhabi, while the United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Jakarta. Both countries are members of the World Trade Organization (WTO), The Non-Aligned Movement and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
Mexico–United Arab Emirates relations are the diplomatic relations between Mexico and the United Arab Emirates. Both nations are members of the United Nations.
The Gupta family is a wealthy and influential business family from India, with close ties to former South African President Jacob Zuma and his administration. The family's most notable members are the brothers Ajay, Atul, and Rajesh "Tony" Gupta—as well as Atul's nephews Varun, and US-based Ashish and Amol. The family's business empire in South Africa spanned a variety of industries, including mining, media, and technology. The family name has become synonymous with corruption in South Africa as well as undue influence, and state capture. They have been sanctioned by multiple countries for their activities, with investigations ongoing in both South Africa and the United States. Many prominent South Africans and politicians have been linked to the family's alleged corrupt activities, including members of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party. The Gupta family has since fled South Africa and has been spotted in Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Vanuatu.
Tanzania–United Arab Emirates relations are the diplomatic relations between Tanzania and the United Arab Emirates. The UAE is one of Tanzania's largest trading partner and have had cordial relationship for many years.
Kurdistan Region–United Arab Emirates relations are bilateral relations between Kurdistan Region and United Arab Emirates. While Kurdistan Region has no representation the United Arab Emirates, the latter has a consulate general in Erbil since 2012. The opening of an Emirati consulate general was discussed during a visit in Erbil by Emirati Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan in February 2011. Kurds in the United Arab Emirates.
Bhisho Airport, also known as Bulembu Airport, is a local airport in Eastern Cape, South Africa, which serves Bhisho and King William's Town. The airport lies on the right side of the N2 national road toward Peddie. The airport was the hub of the short lived Ciskei International Airways from 1986 to 1989.
Armenia–United Arab Emirates relations are the diplomatic relations between Armenia and the United Arab Emirates. Official relations exist between both nations since 1998. Armenia has an embassy in Abu Dhabi and a consulate in Dubai. The United Arab Emirates has embassy in Yerevan.
Events in the year 2022 in the United Arab Emirates.
Peru–United Arab Emirates relations are the bilateral relations between Peru and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Both countries are members of the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement.
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