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EMBASSY/CONSULATE ADDRESSES

Diplomatic Representation in US:
Ambassador: Yousef al Otaiba
Chancery: 3522 International Court, NW, Suite 700,
Washington, DC 20037
Telephone: 202-243-2400
Fax: 202-243-2495

The UAE Mission to the UN is located at:
747 3d Avenue, 36th Floor, New York, NY 10017
Telephone 212-371-0480

U.S. Consulate General in Dubai--Paul Sutphin
PO Box 9343
Telephone: 04 371115
Fax: 379043
Commercial Office: 375121

Embassy and Consulate Web Sites for United Arab Emirates
U.S. Embassy Web Site United Arab Emirates

Embassy Of United Arab Emirates in Washington DC


FOREIGN RELATIONS

The U.A.E. is a member of the United Nations and the Arab League and has established diplomatic relations with more than 60 countries, including the U.S., Japan, Russia, the People's Republic of China, and most western European countries. It has played a moderate role in the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries, the United Nations, and the GCC.

Substantial development assistance has increased the U.A.E.'s stature among recipient states. Most of this foreign aid (in excess of $15 billion over time) has been to Arab and Muslim countries. In 2007, the U.A.E. pledged and delivered $300 million to Lebanon, and was the first country to fulfill its pledge. The U.A.E. has provided significant monetary and material support to the Iraqi Government, including a pledge of $215 million in economic and reconstruction assistance, and has also provided substantial aid to Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the Palestinian Authority.

The U.A.E. is a member of the following international organizations: UN and several of its specialized agencies (ICAO, ILO, UPU, WHO, WIPO); World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), Arab League, Organization of the Islamic Conference, Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries, and the Non-Aligned Movement. The U.A.E. is also a member of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and hosts the headquarters at Abu Dhabi.

DEFENSE
The Trucial Oman Scouts, long the symbol of public order on the coast and commanded by British officers, were turned over to the U.A.E. as its defense forces in 1971. The U.A.E. Armed Forces, consisting of 50,000 troops, are headquartered in Abu Dhabi and are primarily responsible for the defense of the seven emirates.

Although small in number, the U.A.E. armed forces are equipped with some of the most modern weapon systems, purchased from a variety of countries. In 2009, the U.A.E. was the largest foreign buyer of U.S. defense equipment. The military has been reducing the number of foreign nationals in its ranks, and its officer corps is composed almost entirely of U.A.E. nationals. The U.A.E. air force has about 4,000 personnel. The Air Force has advanced U.S. F-16 BLOCK 60 multi-role fighter aircraft. Other equipment includes French Mirage 2000-9 fighters, British Hawk trainer aircraft, 36 transport aircraft and U.S. Apache and Black Hawk helicopters. The U.A.E. Navy is small--about 2,500 personnel--and maintains 12 well-equipped coastal patrol boats and 8 missile boats. Although primarily concerned with coastal defense, the Navy is constructing a six-unit class of blue water corvettes in conjunction with French shipbuilder CMN. The U.A.E.'s Land Forces are equipped with several hundred French LeClerc tanks and a similar number of Russian BMP-3 armored fighting vehicles. The U.A.E. Special Operations Command (SOC) is a small but effective force centered on the counter-terrorism mission within the U.A.E. SOC is well-financed, trained, and equipped and currently has soldiers deployed in Afghanistan, the only Arab personnel undertaking full-scale operations in the country.

The U.A.E. contributes to the continued security and stability of the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. It is a leading partner in U.S. counterterrorism efforts, providing assistance in the military, diplomatic, and financial arenas since September 11, 2001.

U.S.–UAE RELATIONS
The United States has enjoyed friendly relations with the U.A.E. since 1971. Private commercial ties, especially in petroleum (the U.A.E. is the only GCC state to allow private-sector participation in its oil and gas sector), have developed into friendly government-to-government ties, which include security cooperation. The U.A.E. is the United States’ single largest export market in the Middle East and North Africa region, with $14.4 billion in exports in 2008 and more than 750 U.S. firms operating locally. There are nearly 50 weekly non-stop flights to the U.A.E. from six U.S. cities. U.A.E. ports host more U.S. Navy ships than any port outside the U.S. The United States was the third country to establish formal diplomatic relations with the U.A.E. and has had an ambassador resident in the U.A.E. since 1974.

Principal U.S. Officials
Ambassador--Michele J. Sison
Deputy Chief of Mission--Martin Quinn
Political Officer--Al Magleby
Economic Officer--Oliver John
Consular Officer--Robert Dolce
Public Affairs Officer--Steven Pike
Management Officer--Stewart Devine
Commercial Officer--Christian Reed

U.S. Embassy mailing address--PO Box 4009, Abu Dhabi; tel: (971) (2) 414-2200, PAO (971)(2) 414-2410; fax: (971)(2) 414-2603; Commercial Office: (971)(2) 414-2304; fax: (971)(2) 414-2228; Consul General in Dubai--Paul Sutphin; PO Box 9343; tel: (971) (4) 311-6000; fax: (971)(4) 311-6166, Commercial Office: (971)(4) 311-6149).


TRAVEL ADVISORIES

To obtain the latest Travel Advisory Information for the United Arab Emirates check the U.S. State Department Consular Information Sheet.


TRAVEL TIPS

Driving U.S Driving Permit and International Driving Permit required
Currency (AED) Emirati Dirham
Telephones Country Code 971 City Code Abu Dhabi 2+6/7D, Dubai 4+6/7D, Al Ain 3+6/7D
Electrical 220 Volts



Customs:
A visa is required for entry. Business or visitor visas can be arranged with only a few days' notice through local sponsors or major hotels. Hotels levy a varying surcharge for this service. No immunizations are required. Health requirements change; check latest information.

Health:
No unusual precautions in food and drink are necessary. Water is potable. For travel to some areas, malaria suppressant is advisable.


CUSTOMS/DUTIES

Tobacco.....2000 cigarettes, 400 cigars, 2kg tobacco

Liquor......2 liters of spirits, 2 liters of wine (non-muslims only!)

Gifts.......Reasonable amount

Cameras.....No restrictions

Currency....No restrictions

Agriculture items.....Refer to consulate

Perfume....Reasonable amount for personal use

Drugs....Prohibted

Unstrung pearl....Prohibited except for personal use

Firearms and ammunition....Prohibited



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