Vodafone said on Saturday that it looked forward to building a long-term relationship with Emirates Telecommunications Group Company PJSC, now known as e&, after it announced it had acquired a 9.8% stake in the mobile operator.

“Vodafone Group Plc has been informed by Emirates Telecommunications Group Company (‘Etisalat’) of its shareholding in Vodafone and notes the announcement from Etisalat,” Vodafone said in a statement.