His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, received Christopher Pyne, Australian Defense Minister, at Qasr Al Bahr in Abu Dhabi.

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed discussed with the Australian Defense Minister ties of friendship and cooperation and ways to enhance bilateral cooperation, especially in defense and military domains.

They also shared views on current regional and international developments, according to Emirates News Agency WAM.

In attendance were H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region; Dr. Amal Abdullah Al Qubaisi, Speaker of Federal National Council, FNC; H.H. Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation; H.H. Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior; H.H. Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chief of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince's Court, and Lt. General Hamad Mohammed Thani Al Rumaithi, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces.

Earlier, Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Bowardi, Minister of State for Defense Affairs in the UAE, also met with the visiting Australian Minister for Defense.

During the meeting, Al Bowardi hailed the distinguished relations between the UAE and Australia which are witnessing progress in all sectors. The two sides also discussed a number of issues of mutual interest and ways of boosting coordination in the defense sector.

The meeting was attended by senior officers, officials of the Ministry of Defense, and the delegation accompanying the Australian guest.