His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, has discussed with German Chancellor Angela Merkel ways of enhancing bilateral strategic ties and a variety of regional and international issues of mutual concern.
As she welcomed Sheikh Mohamed, the German Chancellor said the visit comes within the framework of the longstanding, strong friendship ties between the two countries, UAE national news agency WAM reported.
Sheikh Mohamed conveyed the greetings of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan to the German Chancellor and his best wishes of further progress and prosperity to the German people as well as HH's sincere desire to bolster and take co-operation with friendly Germany to new heights.
H.H. Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Adviser, and H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, attended the meeting, which took place at Schloss Meseberg Palace, the German government’s guest house.
The meeting discussed means of boosting strategic bilateral ties in order to serve mutual interests of the two friendly countries and their peoples and reviewed relations of co-operation in economic, industrial, developmental and educational fields as well as existing partnerships and methods of furthering them.
Also discussed were the latest regional developments with a focus on the Syrian crisis and the course of the UN-sponsored cessation of hostilities and peace talks and the ongoing Yemeni peace talks, being hosted by Kuwait. Efforts being exerted by the UAE and Germany to combat extremism and terrorist organizations and latest developments in Iraq and Libya and joint coordination and consultation on these files and other political issues of mutual concern were also figured high during the talks.
The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi expressed his confidence that relations between the UAE and the Federal Republic of Germany were scaling new heights thanks to the growing strategic partnership and ties and the shared views towards regional and international issues at political and economic domains.
“Despite the remarkable growth in bilateral ties, there are great prospects for broader co-operation and participation and for creating promising opportunities for the benefit of both sides, particularly in areas of economy, trade, investment, technology, science, knowledge, education and renewable energy”, he affirmed.
“Benefits of the Emirati-German relations, which were based on mutual respect and interests, are good not only for the two countries, but also for the whole region through their joint efforts and contributions along with those of the international community in presenting effective solutions to many political, economic, developmental and humanitarian issues across the world,” he added.
For her part, the German Chancellor expressed her country’s keenness to further solidify bonds of friendship with the UAE and was looking forward to a wider co-operation in all fields that serve interests of the two countries.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the two sides asserted their firm willingness to further consolidate their strategic bilateral ties and enhance joint co-operation in all areas that achieve mutual aspirations and interests.
The two countries affirmed their desire to pursue their joint efforts and co-operation to counter terrorism, violence and extremism and work together to revive hopes for peace and promote values of co-existence, understanding and tolerance as well as strengthen security and stability in the region.
Also present at the meeting were Ali Al Shamsi, Deputy Secretary-General of the Supreme National Security Council, and Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Affairs Authority (EAA). From the German side, the meeting was attended by State Secretary Steffen Seibert, and a number of senior German officials.
