Citizens at the top of priorities: Khalifa

The UAE is keen in extending bridges of friendship, cooperation and tolerance among nations, forging balanced relations and in furthering economic, cultural and tourist exchange with brotherly and friendly countries, President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan affirmed today.

The President highlighted the vital role the UAE diplomatic missions play in assisting UAE citizens abroad and taking care of their affairs.

''The UAE places its citizen at the top of its priorities and puts all its potentials at the disposal of serving the nation and its citizens,'' Sheikh Khalifa said today when the new UAE ambassadors to Canada and Netherlands took the oath of office before him at al-Dhiafa Palace in Mushrif. Sheikh Khalifa also received credentials of 12 new ambassadors of sisterly and friendly countries in the presence of Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in the Western Region.

The President instructed the two envoys to make every effort to promote the UAE standing at the international community.

''We see you trustworthy of this mission and we hope you would dedicate yourself to the service of the homeland and its citizen,'' Sheikh Khalifa said while addressing the new diplomats: Mohammed Saif Al Shehi, UAE Ambassador to Canada and Abdullah Hamdan Al Naqbi, UAE Ambassador to Netherlands.

He also wished them success in their new role in a way that bolsters and furthers mutual interests.

The two new ambassadors pledged before the President to work diligently and faithfully for energising bonds of friendship and cooperation between the UAE and different countries of the world, reflecting the UAE's prominent status and its wise policy under the stewardship of President Khalifa.

They also thanked the President for the valuable confidence he vested in them.

Later, the President accepted letters of credence of five ambassadors of Maldives, Indonesia, Guinea, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Federal Republic Somalia and seven non-resident ambassadors of Nambia, Ghana, Estonia, Nicaragua, Malawi, Burkia Faso, and Cote d'Ivoire.

Sheikh Khalifa welcomed the new ambassadors, wishing them success in their assignment of taking their countries' relations with UAE to new heights.

The President also pledged the State would provide all assistance and help in the UAE - your second home - to facilitate your job and elevate relations of cooperation between your countries and the UAE to better levels.

Sheikh Khalifa asked the ambassadors to pass his best wishes to their respective heads of state for good health and happiness and more progress to their friendly countries and peoples.

For their part, the ambassadors conveyed similar greetings and wishes to the President and people of UAE.

They also expressed their delight at representing their countries in the UAE and admiration at the prudent policy the UAE is adopting under the leadership of Sheikh Khalifa, which they said had led the UAE to make remarkable achievements in all walks of life and earn reputable place worldwide.

The two ceremonies were attended by a number of Sheikhs, ministers and top officials.

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