[UAE] Emirati-Spanish Diplomacy

[Nicole]

Office of the President of the United Arab Emirates​

To: Minister Joseph Borrell, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Spain,

From: His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Minister of Defence of the United Arab Emirates and Emir of Dubai,

Encrypted & Top Secret

Subject: Emirati-Spanish Relations​

Minister Borrell,

I hope this Greeting finds you and the people of the Kingdom of Spain well and avoiding the terrible winter weather effecting Northern Europe. Please know that should Spain require emergency fuel during this crisis, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) stands ready to rush emergency supplies to Spain, should the Spanish people require additional oil and gas for heating, power generation, transportation, etc, etc. So please don't hesitate to request our help when it comes to providing the necessary energy to power your nation through this dramatically cold winter, as the UAE is more than happy to establish an emergency trade route to the Kingdom of Spain at once. Simply ask and you shall receive.....

I've also taken the liberty to contact you because the UAE wishes to establish closer diplomatic, commercial, industrial, and military ties with the Kingdom of Spain. For decades the United Arab Emirates has been an ally of the West, in particular an ally of Western Europe, and both the UAE and Western Europe have benefited from this arrangement greatly. Now as we are decades on from when my father first allied the UAE with the West, radically transforming the UAE into the most modern nation within the Middle East, we now feel the time is right to move our partnership with Western Europe from a tactical partnership to a deeper strategic partnership. Currently the UAE's economy is rapidly diversifying from one heavily reliant on the extraction of fossil fuels, to a global leader in tourism and transportation, while also being the leading Middle Eastern nation in commercial banking, financial services, light and heavy industry, electronics, and cutting edge R&D, therefore we feel that through greater partnership with nations like the Kingdom of Spain, the UAE can be further transformed into one of the world's leading economies. While during this process the Spainish economy would also greatly benefit through direct sales to the UAE, joint-ventures, investment oppurtunities within the UAE, as well as preferential access to the Emirati market, whose geographic location allows not only for local sales, but also the potential to export Spanish goods throughout the Middle East, South and East Asia, and East Africa with great ease and speed.

To discuss this opportunity for both of our nations, as well as a range of other subjects in greater detail, I would like to begin a correspondence with you. I'm not sure if the terrible winter weather over Northern Europe is hindering travel within Spain, but I would like to invite you to meet with me here in Dubai, in order to continue our conversation in person. Though I am also happy to travel to Spain should the weather allow for my travel and your nation be willing to host my visit.

Should you accept my offer, I would also like to encourage you to invite Spanish business leaders to our meeting, as I will likewise invite a range of Emirati businessmen, ministers, and fellow Emirati Royals to our meeting, as I feel a roundtable discussion between eminent members of both of our socities would serve both of our nations well and serve as a cornerstone for bilateral relations between Spain and the UAE, which will be extremely prosperous for both of our nations, as well as mutually beneficial to our respective people's.

Sincerely,

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Minister of Defence of the United Arab Emirates and Emir of Dubai,

@Zak

 

[Zak]

KINGDOM OF SPAIN "Plus ultra"​

ENCRYPTED​

Recipient: His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Minister of Defence of the United Arab Emirates and Emir of Dubai On behalf of the Kingdom of Spain, I would like to congratulate your government on clinching power as you lead the United Arab Emirates into the future. Unfortunately, Josep Borrell tendered his resignation to the government in response to the ongoing winter crisis which has struck Europe and I was handed the role to replace him in quick succession. Several others ministers also resigned but we are here to lead Spain into the future. I thank you for your offer of providing emergency supplies to the Kingdom of Spain as we go through this crisis, your offer will not go unrecognised and we will contact you if we do need your help. The Kingdom of Spain and the United Arab Emirates will have a close knit friendship for many years to come under our two governments and I am delighted to chair the first meeting between our countries as we move into the future. The weather will not stop our visit to your wonderful country and I cannot wait to finally meet you in person, I have been an admirer of your work for many years and it will finally be good to meet you in person as we seek to provide better a better relationship, not just for us but for millions across the two countries we both represent. I have offered to invite the following people to Dubai as part of my delegation, if there is anyone else that you would like for me to invite then please do not hesitate to ask. - Susana Díaz, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Global Assembly and Cooperation - José Luis Ábalos Meco, Minister of Development - Reyes Maroto, Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism - Nadia Calviño, Minister of Economy and Enterprise - Pedro Duque, Minister of Science, Innovation and Universities - Pep Guardiola, Minister of Sport and Culture - Josu Jon Imaz, Chief Executive Officer of Repsol - Antonio Vázquez Romero, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Iberia - Jose Maria Alvarez-Pallete Lopez, Chairman of Telefónica - Dimas Gimeno, Chairman of El Corte Inglés - Ana Botín, Executive Chairman of Santander Group - Jose Ignacio Sanchez Galan, Chairman and Chief Executive of Iberdrola - Luca de Meo, Chairman of Sociedad Española de Automóviles de Turismo (SEAT, S.A.) Please do let me know when we can set off for Dubai and once again, I cannot wait to meet you in person. _______________________________ Susana Díaz Minster of Foreign Affairs​

Susana Díaz Minister of Foreign Affairs Santa Cruz Palace, Plaza de la Provincia, 28012 Madrid, Spain​

@Nicole

 

[Nicole]

Office of the President of the United Arab Emirates​

To: Minister Susana Díaz, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Global Assembly and Cooperation of the Kingdom of Spain,

From: His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Minister of Defence of the United Arab Emirates and Emir of Dubai,

Encrypted & Top Secret

Subject: Emirati-Spanish Relations​

Minister Díaz,

My sincerest apologies Minister Díaz! I have been so busy with domestic matters within the UAE, that I failed to hear about the resignation of Minister Borrell and several other Spanish Ministers over the European winter weather crisis. Though I am saddened to hear of Minister Borrell's departure, I have nothing but the utmost confidence that you'll be an amazing Minister of Foreign Affairs in your own right! While I am also confident that a new generation of Ministers will continue to propel the Kingdom of Spain's tremendous economic growth and increase Spain's influence throughout the world.

Excellent! Just know we are here to help should the Kingdom of Spain require additional energy supplies during this most difficult time across Europe. The people of Spain and all of Europe have been in my thoughts and prayers lately, as I am sure many people are suffering terribly through this unusually harsh European winter.

It is certainly the hope of the United Arab Emirates that a close knit partnership will develop between the UAE and the Kingdom of Spain. A partnership that goes beyond diplomatic relations and inter-governmental ties, but also extending to business-to-business ties, inter-personal contact between our nations citizens, all of which will lead to a high dialogue of civilization and culture, which will undoubtedly improve the quality amd richness of our people's lives. I to am happy that you will be chairing the Spanish delegation to the UAE, as it is clear to me that you share a similar vision for what the relations between our two nations can offer, a mutually beneficial, long-term strategic partnership, which is based on trust. This is the type of relafionship the UAE wishes to build with Spain and I look forward to working with you to achieve just that in the coming days!

I'm very happy to hear that you and your delegation will be able to fly our of Spain and travel to Dubai, as I am confident our meeting will produce a significant amount of good news for the people back in Spain. I'm also honored that you have admired my reign as Emir of Dubai and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, as it has been my life's work to make both the UAE and Dubai relevant players on the world stage. So it goes without saying that I am thrilled to see you've invited such an eminent group of Spainards to be apart of your delegation! Though I would like to request that representatives from the following Spanish firms also make the trip to Dubai, as I and my delegation wish to learn more about their companies operations and potentially make deals with them.

These are the following additional companies that my delegation wishes to see represented in Dubai -

Instalaza S.A.​

Esperanza y Cia S.A.​

Indra Sistemas S.A.​

Navantia​

Talgo​

Your delegation is welcome to fly to the UAE at your earliest convenience and you are requested to fly into Dubai's Al Maktoum International Airport. The meeting between our two delegations will be held at Armani Hotel within the Burn Khalifa Tower in Dubai and your delegation will also be staying at the Armani Hotel for the duration of your stay within Dubai. Please let me know if you or any members of your delegation require any special accomendations during their stay and the Armani Hotel will be sure to see to any and all of their requirements.

At present the UAE delegation will consist of the following individuals, though please feel free to request the presence of any additional Emirati individuals that you wish to attend our historic gathering.

The CEO of Emirates Defence Industries Company, Mr. John Iossifidis,

The Chairman of Etihad Airways, Mr. Mohamed Mubarak Al Mazrouei,

The Chairman of the Emirates Group, His Highness Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum,

The CEO of Dubai World, Mr. Jamal Majid Khalfan Bin Thaniyah,

The CEO of Mubadala Investment Company, Mr. Khaldoon Al Mubarak,

The CEO of Noor Bank, John Iossifidis,

Minister of State for International Cooperation of the UAE, Reem Bint Ibrahim Al Hashimy,

Minister of Economy of the UAE, Mr. Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansoori,

Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development of the UAE, Noura Al Kaabi,

Minister of Energy and Industry of the UAE, Suhail Mohammed Faraj Al Mazroui,

Minister of State for Financial Affairs of the UAE, Obaid Humaid Al Tayer,

Once again I look forward to meeting you and your entire delegation in Dubai ASAP, so that together we can forge a lasting mutually beneficial partnership between our two great nations.

Sincerely,

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Minister of Defence of the United Arab Emirates and Emir of Dubai,

@Zak

 

[Zak]

- Susana Díaz, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Global Assembly and Cooperation
- José Luis Ábalos Meco, Minister of Development
- Reyes Maroto, Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism
- Nadia Calviño, Minister of Economy and Enterprise
- Pedro Duque, Minister of Science, Innovation and Universities
- Pep Guardiola, Minister of Sport and Culture

- Josu Jon Imaz, Chief Executive Officer of Repsol
- Antonio Vázquez Romero, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Iberia
- Jose Maria Alvarez-Pallete Lopez, Chairman of Telefónica
- Dimas Gimeno, Chairman of El Corte Inglés
- Ana Botín, Executive Chairman of Santander Group
- Jose Ignacio Sanchez Galan, Chairman and Chief Executive of Iberdrola
- Luca de Meo, Chairman of Sociedad Española de Automóviles de Turismo (SEAT, S.A.)
- Pablo Isla, Director of Instalaza
- Paulo González, Chairman of Esperanza y Cia
- Javier de Andrés, Chief Executive Officer of Indra Sistemas
- Pilar Platero, Managing Director of Navantia
- Danielle Ramos, Deputy Director of Talgo

With the entire delegation arriving at Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport, they would head through security and into one of the business lounges where they would gather up and meet the entire delegation before boarding a chartered Iberia Airbus A330-300 which would take them to Dubai Al Maktoum International Airport. Each delegate would enjoy the facilities of Iberia's business class as they took the chance to rest or catch up on some work before indulging in a meal before they landed. On board the aircraft would be twenty four agents from who would be carrying Heckler & Koch MP5SD3s which were fully loaded with three spare magazines each in case anything was to hit the fan. They would brief their counterparts in the United Arab Emirates that weapons were being transported but would be handed over if they had to.
@Nicole

 

[Nicole]

Al Maktoum International Airport,Dubai,United Arab Emirates -​

Due to the widespread crisis across much of Europe, the Emirati government felt that it was best from a public relations statement, to keep the arrival of the Spanish delegation as low-key and discreet as possible. The UAE wishing to avoid any backlash their Spanish guests might receive from a cold and angry Spanish public, should pictures and/or video of Spanish government officials and business leaders being lavishly received in a desert oasis such as Dubai create animosity among the Spanish General public during this time of crisis. Therefore it was decided that the Iberia Airbus A330-300 would arrive at Dubai's Al Maktoum International Airport, as opposed to Dubai International Airport, which was the busiest airport in the world. Al Maktoum International Airport was massive, but the airport and its adjoining Dubai World Central development project was only partially complete, so the volume of travelers was much lower when compared with Dubai International Airport. So Emirati officials felt that Al Maktoum International Airport was the ideal location to officially receive the Spanish delegation, without attracting any attention that could be misinterpreted by the Spanish public.

Arriving at Al Maktoum International Airport discreetly, by flying into the airport with a small entourage of officials and UAE Presidential Guard Command Guardsmen aboard a Royal Dubai Air Wing Boeing 737-800/BBJ2, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, waited in for the Spanish delegations arrival in the private royal suite within Terminal 2. A message was sent to the Spanish delegation that everything was in order for their arrival and that the agents would be allowed to keep their weapons on them until they arrived at the Armani Hotel within the Burj Khalifa Tower, where their weapons would be held by UAE Presidential Guard Command.

Outside Terminal 2 a motorcade was discreetly assembled, which was comprised of two dozen Dubai Police Force Land Cruiser 4x4 SUV's, which each carried two police officers. The police officers were all armed with Caracal EF 9x19-mm Semi-Automatic Pistols, while inside each of their Toyota Land Cruiser 4x4 SUV's were one Caracal CAR 816 5.56x45-mm Compact 10.5" Carbine and one Ithaca 37 12-Gauge Pump-Action Shotgun. While the UAE Presidential Guard Command operated six Emirati made armoured STREIT Range Rover 560 Supercharged 4x4 SUV's, each carrying two plain clothes guardsmen, who were armed with concealed Caracal EF 9x19-mm Semi-Automatic Pistols, while two Caracal CAR 816 5.56x45-mm Compact 10.5" Carbines were safely stored within the luxury SUV's as well. The UAE Presidential Guard Command also operated a dozen Toyota Land Cruiser 4x4 SUV's, which would carry the staff members of the Spanish delegation, lesser attendants to the Emir of Dubai, and additional guardsmen. Each Land Cruiser held two guardsmen, who were also dressed in plain clothes and similarly armed.

Once the Iberia Airbus A330-300 carrying the Spanish delegation safely landed and taxied it's assigned gate, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and his entourage made their way to the gate to greet his Spanish guests to the UAE and Dubai. The Emirati leadership was extremely excited about this meeting, which they believed would lead to a considerable strengthening of relations with the Kingdom of Spain, as well as significant mutually beneficial investment, sales, and agreements by both the UAE and the Kingdom of Spain.

With everything in place for the Spanish delegations official state visit to the UAE, all that was needed to begin the visit was for the Spainiards to disembark their aircraft after their long flight from Spain.

@Zak

 

[Zak]

​

The airspace around Dubai was no doubt busy with the influx of planes departing and taking off so that meant that the Captain of the flight was to take over flight control shortly before landing and the First Officer was left to handle the communications to safely get the plane onto the ground and after several minutes of communication saw the Iberia flight touch down at Dubai's Al Maktoum International Airport and taxied off the runway towards its designated parking space. The Ministers and delegates on board were ready for such meeting after finishing up bits of work, taking a nap or just relaxing in general.

The doors opened and out stepped María Marcos Salvador who was the incumbent Director of the Security Department which was responsible for managing all security teams when they made their way on foreign visits. She greeted her counterpart of the United Arab Emirates security teams and introduced herself and shortly after, the security teams made their way off the aircraft as they wore three-piece suits with red ties knowing that the visit between the two countries was of high importance.

Last to leave the aircraft were the Ministers and delegates from various companies around Spain. They made their way into the suite and introduced themselves to the Emir of Dubai and Minister of Defence.

@Nicole