Mohamed, Biden discuss strategies to tackle crises in Syria, Libya, Yemen

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, said the UAE and the United States enjoy a strategic relationship that is based on cooperation and common interests.

His statement came during a meeting with US Vice-President Joe Biden on Monday in Abu Dhabi, where the two sides discussed boosting bilateral ties and ways to drive them forward for the interest of the two nations. They also discussed a number of regional issues, including the Syrian crisis, the fight against terrorism and Yemen.

Sheikh Mohamed spoke about the UAE's vision towards a stable, secure Arab World that is aspiring for an optimistic and positive future, emphasizing that such a vision requires a serious, joint work to overcome crises threatening the region.

Sheikh Mohamed stressed on the mutual interest in guaranteeing the security and stability of the Arab Gulf, given its strategic importance to the entire world. He said the UAE, under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the UAE, is keen on cooperating and exchanging views with its friends and allies, with the United States at the forefront, in order to boost regional stability and draw up effective strategies to tackle crises in Syria, Libya, and Yemen, in addition to the fight against terrorism.

Sheikh Mohamed reiterated the UAE’s support of all efforts toward finding a settlement for the Syrian crisis that maintains the integrity of the country’s lands, puts an end to the suffering of the Syrian people and meets their aspirations. He expressed hope that the recently announced ceasefire which was reached after US-Russian cooperation will represent the beginning of effective and serious regional and international action towards laying the groundwork for ending the Syrian problem.

The two sides discussed a number of regional issues, including ‘Operation Restoring Hope’ in Yemen, which is being carried out under the leadership of Saudi Arabia against Houthi rebels and their allies in Yemen. The operation aims at enabling the internationally recognised Yemeni government to carry out its sovereign duties and to serve the interests of the Yemeni people.

They also touched on existing cooperation between the two nations in the area of combating terrorism and the efforts being exerted to eradicate terrorism, extremism and terrorist organisations. The two sides stressed that their countries will continue their fight against terrorism and that they will continue to confront any actions that undermine regional and international peace and security.

Biden praised the UAE's vision, its experiment and the role of its leadership in achieving stability and development in a troubling regional setting. Biden also appreciated the transparent and clear Emirati policy which underlines the nation's credibility. He expressed his delight at visiting Abu Dhabi and to see the UAE's successful civilisational and developmental experiment.

Present at the meeting were Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Advisor; Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; Dr. Anwar bin Mohammed Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs; Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemi, Minister of State for International Cooperation; Dr. Sultan bin Ahmad Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of State; Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Affairs Authority (EAA);  Yousef Al Otaiba, UAE ambassador to the United States; Barbara A. Leaf, the US Ambassador to the UAE, and a number of officials accompanying the US Vice-President.

Mohamed receives German FM
 

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, received German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his accompanying delegation, who are currently visiting the country, today at al-Shati Palace.

Sheikh Mohamed welcomed the visit of the German Foreign Minister and discussed with him relations between the UAE and the Federal Republic of Germany, and ways of enhancing them in the light of distinguished friendship and common interests.

The two sides reviewed during the meeting, various fields of co-operation between the two countries in various sectors, and the importance of strengthening and developing the co-operation so as to achieve the interests of both countries and peoples.

They exchanged views on the current developments on the regional and international arenas, focussing on the Syrian crisis, the fight against extremism and terrorism, and the Yemeni file.

The two sides stressed to continue co-ordination between the two countries to promote co-existence, mutual understanding, tolerance and peace in the region so as to enhance the values of the overall development opportunities for the countries and peoples of the region.

The meeting was attended by Dr. Anwar bin Mohammed Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mohammed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, Under-Secretary of Crown Prince Court of Abu Dhabi, and Dr. Eckhard Lubkemeier, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the UAE.

Mohamed receives President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and the visiting President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), Saber Hossain Chowdhury, discussed avenues of joint parliamentary co-operation in issues of mutual concern, particularly humanitarian work, security, and peace and development in countries of the world.

Sheikh Mohamed and the IPU chief took stock of the latest regional and international developments of common interest and exchanged views on programmes for developing mechanisms of international parliamentary work and its role in tackling political, social and humanitarian challenges.

The IPU President was accompanied by Dr. Amal Abdullah Al Qubaisi, Speaker of Federal National Council (FNC).

Present at the meeting at Al Shatti Palace were Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Ruler`s Representative in the Eastern Region, Sheikh Saif bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Sheikh Surour bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation, Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chief of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince's Court, Sheikh Khalid bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Board of Zayed Higher Organisation for Humanitarian Care & Special Needs (ZHO), Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, and a number of Sheikhs and senior officials.

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