The United Arab Emirates on Monday sent an urgent aid plane to North Macedonia to help the Southeast European country in combating the COVID-19 pandemic. The aid plane carried 10 metric tonnes of emergency medical supplies, testing kits, and ventilators to assist approximately 10,000 healthcare professionals in North Macedonia in their efforts to contain the spread of the virus.

Responding to the aid delivery, Omar Obaid Al Shamsi, UAE Ambassador to the Republic of Italy, said that the UAE has been keen on developing its relations with the Republic of North Macedonia and enhancing joint cooperation to fulfil the mutual interests of the two friendly nations and their people.

He added that medical aid was sent with the aim of strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries.

"In this regard, an emergency aircraft carrying medical supplies and personal protective equipment was dispatched to contribute to the efforts of medical professionals in North Macedonia, especially frontline staff, to contain COVID-19" Al Shamsi said.

So far, the UAE has sent more than 1613 metric tonnes of medical and food aid to 120 countries in need in line with its humanitarian efforts in the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. The aid has assisted more than 1.6 million medical professionals globally in the process.