Yoon, UAE foreign minister meet to discuss economic cooperation

President Yoon Suk Yeol, right, shakes hands with United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the presidential office in central Seoul on Tuesday. [PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE]

President Yoon Suk Yeol met with the top diplomat of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Tuesday and exchanged opinions on how to boost Korea-UAE ties in economy and politics, Yoon's office said.

Yoon met with UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the presidential office in central Seoul and recalled the warm welcome he received during his state visit to the country in January, presidential spokesperson Lee Do-woon said in a statement.

Yoon said the UAE's decision to invest $30 billion in Korea served as an opportunity to further deepen the two countries' economic cooperation and promised to work together to realize investment opportunities beneficial to both sides.

"He also called for joint efforts to further strengthen strategic cooperation between the two countries and produce detailed results in areas such as nuclear energy, defense and arms," Lee said.

The foreign minister, who was in Seoul as part of a tour of Asia, said work is steadily underway to implement the promised investment cooperation while also expressing hope for increased cooperation in green energy, investment and arms.

He also noted that Manchester City, owned by UAE Deputy Prime Minister Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, recently won the Champions League and that the deputy prime minister is considering visiting Korea as part of his summer tour.

Yoon extended his congratulatory remarks to the European champion and said the club and the deputy prime minister are welcome should they visit Korea in the next months.

Manchester City is set to visit Korea to play against Atletico Madrid in Seoul on July 30.

BY SOHN DONG-JOO, YONHAP [sohn.dongjoo@joongang.co.kr]