His Highness General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, received on 23 April at Emirates Palace (Abu Dhabi) the visiting US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and the delegation accompanying him.
The Abu Dhabi Crown Prince welcomed the US Defense Secretary and the delegation accompanying him.
During the meeting attended by H. H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister, the two sides discussed the existing distinguished relations between the UAE and the US and ways to boost them, especially in the military and Defense areas.
Sheikh Mohamed and Hagel exchanged views on a number of issues of mutual interest and the latest regional and international developments, as well as the role of joint cooperation in ensuring the security, stability and peace in the region.
The meeting was also attended by Staff Major General Eisa Saif Al Mazrouei, Deputy Chief of Staff of UAE Armed Forces, Under Secretary of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Court, Mohammed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, UAE Ambassador to the US Yousef Manea Al Otaiba and US Ambassador to the UAE Michael Corbin.
Hagel arrived in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday on the last leg of a six-nation tour of the Middle East in which he has sought to renew ties with American allies who share Washington's concerns over Iran's nuclear project and Syria's civil war.
Before his departure, the Pentagon announced plans for an elaborate weapons sale to Israel, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, including more than two dozen F-16 fighter jets to the UAE at a value of nearly $5 billion.
The preliminary arms deal “really cements a long term and enduring partnership with the Emirates,” a senior defense official told reporters traveling with Hagel.
By endorsing the deal, the UAE has demonstrated “its trust in the United States” as a reliable partner, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The arms sale, which involves a long-term commitment to train UAE pilots and provide spare parts, shows “that the US isn't going anywhere, that the United States is firmly committed to the security of all our regional partners,” the official said.
Source: WAM; Agencies
