Former Deputy Prime Minister of Portugal commends UAE's sophisticated approach on foreign policy as revealed in Emirates Diplomatic Academy

Abu Dhabi, May 22, 2016: As globalisation transforms international economic relationships, economic diplomacy has a key role in influencing policy decisions of governments and international organisations, said H.E. Paulo Portas, Former Deputy Prime Minister of Portugal, while giving a lecture on the topic 'Economic Diplomacy: The Core of New International Affairs', organised by Emirates Diplomatic Academy on May 19th 2016.

"There are no more local or national markets, there are only international markets, and we have to promote our national interests in the international markets to win," stated H.E. Portas while describing effect of globalization in international relations.

He said that in order to understand Economic Diplomacy, it is important to aim to be global. "Not everything that is national becomes global, but everything global can become national," he said.

"Globalisation has changed the very nature of diplomacy, and the UAE has understood this phenomenon. Emirates Diplomatic Academy is a good example of the UAE's sophisticated approach towards foreign policy, where future diplomats are provided knowledge at the theoretical as well as practical levels," H.E. Portas said.

He stated further: "The UAE is very young country, hence it has great opportunities to build co-operative relationships with enterprises and other governments."

On the occasion, H.E. Portas called on embassies to adopt the concept of 'One Embassy One Team' by unifying responsibilities, sharing information and acting together to achieve success in economic diplomacy.

"Diplomats should try to be economic experts. We need to have practical and pragmatic agendas while making bilateral agreements with other nations," he added.

Describing digital diplomacy as an instrument for economic diplomacy, H.E. Portas said: "Digital diplomacy is relevant in this age. It is very important to invest in new ideas to promote investments for the nation. We need to use all the tools available and they include digital media. We can get new ideas right from our local markets that will help us in getting investments from international enterprises."

The lecture was another major event for EDA which has been hosting a series of lectures by prominent personalities and experts on relevant topics related to diplomacy and international relations.

On the occasion, Bernardino Leon, Director General of EDA, said, "Emirates Diplomatic Academy is focused on providing our students with the knowledge and expertise based on real time experiences related international relations. The lecture by H.E. Paulo Portas on the role of economic diplomacy highlights EDA's unique model of diplomatic capacity development that equips future diplomats with the right capabilities to meet the requirements of the international economy and the global political arena."

H.E. Paulo Portas was the Portuguese Deputy Prime Minister from 2013 to 2015. He also served as the Minister of State and Foreign Affairs from 2011 to 2013, and Minister of Defence from 2002 to 2005. As a prominent figure in the Portuguese political scene, he led a number of initiatives on Economic Diplomacy since his tenure as the country's Minister of Foreign Affairs. While serving as the Deputy Prime Minister, he travelled around the world promoting Portuguese companies and products, an initiative he started during his tenure as the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

As the leading integrated academic centre in the region, EDA combines academic programmes and training, research and analysis to highlight the UAE's leading role in international relations. The Academy also conducts in-depth studies on the region and the UAE to build a knowledge base in the field of international relations and diplomacy, and support the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and decision-makers in the UAE.

About Emirates Diplomatic Academy:
The Emirates Diplomatic Academy (EDA) was established by Cabinet Decree No. 29 of the year 2014, as a pioneering integrated academic and research centre dedicated to strengthening the UAE national's foreign policy knowledge.

EDA's Board of Trustees includes distinguished leaders from government, academia and industry. The Board of Trustees ensures that the Academy adheres to the purposes for which it was created and that the Academy's integrity and financial resources are preserved for its current and future objectives.

EDA aims to build a broad knowledge base in the field of international and diplomatic relations, while providing technical and advisory support to UAE government entities, and while strengthening cooperation with major training centres and universities to exchange experiences and best practices.

EDA's core areas are interlinked, with activities in one area contributing to the others to create balance and synergies.

1. Academics and Research

• Students study a customised course that incorporates UAE and regional context alongside EDA research

• EDA faculty participate in research projects supported by visiting Middle East scholars and institutional partnerships

2. Academics and Executive Education

• Students benefit from executive courses delivered by EDA

• Students of diplomacy collaborate and build professional networks (e.g. capstone)

3. Research and Executive Education

• Researchers design and improve training courses with relevant UAE-related content

• Researchers have access to students for study purposes (focus groups, surveys, etc.)

For more information about Emirates Diplomatic Academy, please visit www.eda.ac.ae

For media inquiries, contact:
Omar Badran
ASDA'A Burson-Marsteller
Omar.Badran@bm.com
044507626

© Press Release 2016