Gen. Mohamed receives Australian PM

General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, on Mnnday received at the Mushrif Palace Tony Abbott, the Prime Minister of Australia, and his accompanying delegation, currently on an official visit to the country.

Upon his arrival at the Palace, the visiting Prime Minister was accorded an official ceremonial reception.

Australian Prime Minister and Sheikh Mohamed walked up to the dais as a band played the two countries' national anthems, following which the Artillery Regiment fired a 21-gun salute to the country's guest. Later, they inspected the guard of honour lined up in the courtyard of the palace.

The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi then accompanied the Australian Prime Minister to the reception hall at the Palace, where Sheikh Mohamed shook hands with senior officials accompanying the Prime Minister, who shook hands with Sheikhs, ministers and key officials.

At the start of the meeting, Sheikh Mohamed welcomed the Australian Prime Minister and his accompanying delegation, expressing his happiness at the visit and wished that it contributes to enhance friendship and cooperation ties between the UAE and Australia.

Sheikh Mohamed condemned the recent terror attack in a cafe in Sydney that targeted innocent Australian citizens, stressing, "Such events increase our determination to combat terrorism." 

They also discussed the state of the bilateral relations and ways to enhance them in view of the common interest. They also tackled the existing cooperation domains and the importance of boosting such ties to achieve the aspirations of the two friendly peoples and countries, taking these to wider horizons of development in all political, economic, defence, social, educational and investment fields.

The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi said that the growing ties between the UAE and Australia are the result of the two countries' exerted efforts and coordination and these must be enhanced in all fields, so as to benefit from the two sides' capabilities and potentials to enhance economic and human resources development.

He also indicated that the UAE, led by the President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is going to steadily strengthen ties with Australia and other friendly countries, based on mutual respect and fruitful cooperation in all economic, social and educational fields.

Sheikh Mohamed also asserted the importance of exchanging expertise, enhancing communication, coordination and holding meetings which would contribute to bolstering development and opening up wider horizons in the best interest of the bilateral ties between the two countries. He also indicated that the UAE is open to investment opportunities to best serve the mutual economic interests.

The parties also discussed the efforts being made by both countries in the field of combating violence, extremism and terrorism and the level of mutual coordination and cooperation with the international community in the fight against this international and dangerous phenomena that threatens international security and stability.

In this regard, Sheikh Mohamed said that the efforts of the international community in combating terrorist organisations and their extreme thoughts has become a reality. More such efforts were needed to be made in a unified manner to achieve peace, security and stability in the region and the world.

Sheikh Mohamed reiterated his assertion that ideologies posed by terrorist organisations are incompatible with the teachings of Islamic which are based on values of tolerance, coexistence, interaction and communication among nations and peoples.

The meeting also dealt with  the latest overall developments in the regional and international arenas as well as exchanging views on a number of issues of mutual interest.

Among those who attended the meeting from the UAE side were Mohammed Ahmed Al Murr, Speaker of Federal National Council (FNC), Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Advisor, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister, Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri, Minister of Economy and head of mission of honour accompanying the Australian Prime Minister, Ahmed Juma Al Za'abi, Deputy Minister for Presidential Affairs, Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority, Lt. General Hamad Mohammed Thani Al Rumaithi, Chief of Staff of the UAE Armed Forces, and Mohammed Mubarak Al Mazroui, Undersecretary of the Court of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

Australian Minister for Defence, Kevin Andrews, and a number of senior officials attended from the Australian side.

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