European Council President António Costa used a stop-over in Abu Dhabi on 14 April to praise President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed for “providing safety and predictability” to the 200,000 European Union citizens living in the Emirates amid ongoing hostilities between Iran and Western allies. The remarks highlight an often-overlooked facet of global mobility: crisis-management for expatriate populations. Since late February, Iran’s missile-and-drone campaign has targeted civilian infrastructure across the Gulf, including strikes that briefly disrupted fuel facilities near Dubai Airport. While no EU nationals were injured, the European Council credits UAE authorities with fast-tracking protective measures—reinforced shelter protocols in expatriate districts and real-time security bulletins via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Twajudi registration system. The meeting between the two leaders also touched on mobility facilitation. Brussels and Abu Dhabi will resume talks on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement that could include simplified professional-visa quotas for EU firms operating in the UAE’s free zones. Costa confirmed that European missions in the UAE are sharing aggregated residency-data to help Emirati authorities plan emergency evacuations if the security environment deteriorates again. For HR directors, the diplomatic backing should reassure staff considering Gulf assignments that contingency planning is robust. Insurance brokers report a 12 per cent uptick in enquiries for inbound expatriate medical cover since February, but premiums remain stable, suggesting underwriters view the UAE risk profile as manageable. The visit comes as the EU finalises its own ETIAS electronic travel authorisation, underlining the interdependence between the bloc and the Emirates: one side keen to protect its citizens abroad, the other eager to keep investment and highly skilled talent flowing even during regional crises.
Source: The National
