The United Arab Emirates and Lebanon have agreed to take steps toward lifting travel restrictions, including a longstanding UAE-imposed ban on Emiratis visiting Lebanon, as part of a broader push to strengthen bilateral ties between the two nations.

The announcement followed a meeting in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday between UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, who is on his first official visit to the Emirates since taking office in January.

In a joint statement, the two countries said they were committed to easing travel procedures “to the benefit of both nations.”

“The two sides agreed to allow citizens to travel after taking the necessary measures to facilitate movement between the two countries and establishing appropriate mechanisms for this,” the statement said.

During the talks, the two leaders reviewed bilateral relations and discussed expanding cooperation across a range of sectors, including economic development, investment, and government innovation.

The UAE President welcomed his Lebanese counterpart and expressed hope that the visit would “contribute to enhancing the fraternal relations between the two countries” in a way that supports mutual interests and regional stability. He reiterated the UAE’s support for Lebanon’s sovereignty and security.

President Aoun, for his part, thanked the UAE leader for his country’s continued backing of Lebanon. He underscored his intention to deepen ties in the coming period and praised the UAE for its consistent support of the Lebanese people.

As part of efforts to build institutional capacity, the UAE’s Ministry of Cabinet Affairs will dispatch a delegation from its Knowledge Exchange Office to Beirut to share the country’s experience in improving government performance and institutional excellence. The initiative is aimed at bolstering both Lebanon’s public and private sectors.

The two sides also agreed to establish a joint Emirati–Lebanese Business Council to strengthen commercial ties, and the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development will send a delegation to Lebanon to explore joint development projects.

Discussions also touched on regional and international developments, including the broader implications for Arab unity and security. President Aoun briefed Sheikh Mohamed on the latest situation in Lebanon, while both leaders affirmed Lebanon’s strategic importance within the Arab world.

“Sheikh Mohamed stressed Lebanon’s deep-rooted Arab identity, emphasizing that the brotherly country remains a pillar of joint Arab action,” the statement read.