Lt. General Hamad Mohammed Thani Al Rumaithi, Chief-of-Staff of the UAE Armed Forces, received Admiral Valter Girardelli, Chief of the Italian Navy (photo), UAE national news agency WAM reported.

During the meeting, they discussed issues of mutual interest and ways of enhancing cooperation especially in the military, defense and maritime fields, as well as expertise exchange.

The meeting was attended by a number of senior officers of the armed forces and the delegation accompanying the guest.

For his part, Matar Salim Ali Al Dhaheri, Under-Secretary of the UAE Ministry of Defense, also met with Valter Girardelli, Chief-of-Staff of the Italian Navy.

The two sides reviewed bilateral ties between the UAE and Italy, and discussed means of further developing them, especially in the defense and military sectors, to serve the interests of the two countries and their people.

Al Dhaheri and Girardelli also exchanged views on issues of mutual interest, as well as the latest regional developments.

The meeting was attended by senior officers and officials of the Ministry of Defense.

Earlier, Major General Sheikh Saeed bin Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Commander of the UAE Naval Forces, received in his office at the naval command base in Abu Dhabi, Vice Admiral Valter Girardelli, Chief of the Italian Navy.

During the meeting, the two sides reviewed aspects of cooperation and discussed a number of military topics of common interest, especially those related to the maritime field, and means of developing and enhancing them.

The meeting was attended by a number of senior UAE naval officers and the Italian delegation accompanying Girardelli.