Khalifa holds talks with Argentine President

The UAE and Argentina on Monday emphasised their interest in enhancing cooperation on economy, investment, tourism and renewable energy as well as in increasing trade and investment.

This came during talks held at Al Diyafa Palace in Al Mushrif, Abu Dhabi, by the President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the visiting President of Argentina, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, in the presence of Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President's Representative and Gen. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

Welcoming the Argentine President and the accompanying delegation, Sheikh Khalifa expressed the hope that the visit would contribute to enhancing friendly relations and cooperation between the UAE and her country and would open up new and wider venues for cooperation in different spheres.

The talks discussed ways to enhance and promote economic, investment, tourism and renewable energy relations, in particular, working towards increasing trade exchange and investment opportunities in light of the potential of both countries and tapping the available encouraging potential in order to promote cooperation in service of the common interests. Views on a number of matters of common interest and the latest regional and the latest international developments were also discussed.

The Argentine President expressed her pleasure at visiting the UAE and at meeting the President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. She hailed the UAE's achievements and progress in different spheres and its overall rapid development which, she said, had earned it an outstanding regional and international position, thanks to the wise leadership of Sheikh Khalifa.

President Kirchner also expressed her country's desire to build bridges for cooperation with the UAE and creating more opportunities for investment and tourism cooperation, in particular.

Underlining the significance of the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi, she said the UAE is at the forefront of efforts to promote renewable energy. She also noted Abu Dhabi's hosting of the headquarters of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). She said hosting this global event reflects the UAE's international position in organising big events.

The two presidents witnessed the signing of a number of agreements and memorandums of understanding, including an MoU between the UAE government and the Argentine government on cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear power. The MoU was signed by Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE Foreign Minister, and Argentinean Minister of Foreign Relations Hector Marcos Timerman.

An agreement on air transport services was signed by Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri, the UAE Minister of Economy, and Timerman, while another agreement was signed by Dr. Rashid Ahmed bin Fahad, the UAE Minister of Environment and Water, and the Argentine Minister of Agriculture, Norberto Yauhar.

Another agreement was signed between the Argentine Comission Nacional de Actividades Espaciales (CONAE - the National Space Activities Commission) and the UAE's Emirates Institution for Advanced Science and Technology (EIAST) on the peaceful use of outer space.

Observing the signing ceremonies were Mohammed Ahmed Al Murr, Speaker of the Federal National Council, Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Ruler`s Representative in the Eastern Region, Sheikh Surour bin Mohammed Al Nahyan,. Sheikh Saeed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Ruler’s Representative, 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 Interior, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chief of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince's Court, Sheikh Omar bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation, Dr. Sheikh Saeed bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Dr Anwar Mohammed Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Reem Ibrahim Al Hashemi, Minister of State, Ahmed Juma Al Za'abi, Deputy Minister for Presidential Affairs, Eissa Al Qattam Al Za'abi, the UAE ambassador to Argentina, Ruben Eduardo Caro, Argentinean Ambassador to the UAE, and members of the delegation accompanying the Argentine President.

Later, Sheikh Khalifa hosted a lunch banquet in honour of the Argentine President and members of her delegation.

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