Syria’s Sharaa in UAE seeking investments amid Israel talks push
The UAE has concerns about Syria’s new Islamist government, said one expert, but is nonetheless seeking to engage with Damascus politically and economically.
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa called for increased investment during a visit to the United Arab Emirates on Monday, as Abu Dhabi seeks to engage Syria’s new government despite reservations over developments in the country.
What happened: Sharaa landed in Abu Dhabi at around 6:00 p.m. local time (10:00 a.m. ET) and was greeted by Emirati Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Sharaa later met with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The two discussed “means of enhancing economic and development cooperation and aspects to support Syria’s efforts in the post-war phase,” Syria’s official news outlet SANA reported, adding that Sharaa endorsed “building strategic partnerships with [Syria’s] Gulf brothers.”
وصول رئيس الجمهورية العربية السورية السيد #أحمد_الشرع والوفد المرافق له إلى دولة #الإمارات العربية المتحدة، حيث كان في استقباله سمو الشيخ عبد الله بن زايد آل نهيان وزير خارجية دولة الإمارات.#سانا pic.twitter.com/jflls3zCpW
— الوكالة العربية السورية للأنباء - سانا (@Sana__gov) July 7, 2025
The official Emirates News Agency reported that the discussions focused on ways to enhance development and economic cooperation between the UAE and Syria. The meeting was additionally attended by Secretary-General of the UAE’s Supreme Council for National Security Ali bin Hammad Al Shamsi, diplomatic adviser Anwar Gargash, UAE Football Association Chairman Sheikh Hamdan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani and other senior officials, per the agency.
