Abu Dhabi, May 2 (NationPress) The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Lebanon have released a joint declaration emphasizing their mutual dedication to strengthening bilateral ties and fostering regional collaboration during the inaugural official visit of Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to the UAE.

Aoun and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan engaged in discussions aimed at boosting cooperation across various sectors and reaffirmed the longstanding fraternal connections between the two nations, as stated on Thursday.

The UAE President reiterated the nation's unwavering support for Lebanon's security, stability, and sovereignty, according to the statement.

Aoun expressed gratitude for the UAE’s ongoing support, as reported by Xinhua news agency.

He commended the UAE's humanitarian and developmental aid to Lebanon and affirmed his readiness to broaden collaborative efforts in economic and institutional development, the statement added.

The two parties reached an agreement to enhance collaboration in economic and investment sectors, which includes sharing expertise and knowledge in government performance.

To facilitate this initiative, the UAE Ministry of Cabinet Affairs' Government Experience Exchange Office will travel to Beirut to share practices aimed at improving institutional efficiency in both nations, the statement mentioned.

Additional agreements included the simplification of travel procedures between the two nations to ease the movement of citizens, alongside an intention to elevate diplomatic representation. They also announced plans to form a joint UAE-Lebanon Business Council, with the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development set to send a delegation to Lebanon to evaluate potential cooperation projects, as stated.

Following discussions with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, both parties agreed to ease travel protocols after years of tension, while also raising the diplomatic representation level between the two nations, as reported by state-owned Emirates News Agency on Thursday.

The decision to lift the travel restrictions signifies a change in the UAE's perspective towards Lebanon, which has struggled with its relations with Gulf nations over the last decade due to Hezbollah's influence.

The UAE's government experience exchange office is also expected to visit Beirut shortly to showcase its governance and institutional management strategies, aimed at supporting development in both nations' public and private sectors.

Earlier in January, the UAE reopened its embassy in Lebanon, marking a step towards normalizing relations.

In 2021, the UAE imposed a travel ban and recalled its diplomats from Beirut after a Lebanese Minister criticized Saudi Arabia's military actions in Yemen. Although Lebanese citizens were not officially barred from entering the UAE, many encountered challenges in obtaining visas.

The UAE's recent move to relax travel restrictions follows Saudi Arabia's announcement in March regarding a review of issues hindering the resumption of Lebanese imports and a potential lifting of its travel ban on Lebanese nationals.

In 2024, Gulf states committed over $150 million in aid to Lebanon, with $100 million sourced from the UAE.