Mohammed receives Australian PM

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai,  received  Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott and members of the delegation accompanying him on Tuesday at Zabeel Palace.

Welcoming the visiting Australian prime minister,  Sheikh Mohammed expressed his hope that Abott's first visit to the UAE would be a good start for further communication and exchange of visits between the officials of the UAE and Australia in the service of the historic relations of the two countries and their friendly peoples.

During the meeting,  Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and Abbott discussed international matters of common interest and ways of enhancing the bilateral relations between the UAE and Australia in all spheres with a focus on culture, tourism, economy and trade.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and Prime Minister Abbott stressed the importance of combating terrorism, which has become a source of global concern and a threat to global peace, through constructive cooperation among all states and proactive and collective international efforts to contain this blight and dry up its financial and human resources.

On his part, Prime Minister Abbott hailed the civilisational renaissance of the UAE in all spheres, and made note of the giant projects which serve the UAE people, the national economy and the global economy. 

He described the vision of  Sheikh Mohammed for Dubai projects as unique and positive as it has made the city a symbol of civilisation, progress and of keeping pace with all the developments in infrastructure, construction as well as the tourism industry through which Dubai could attract millions of tourists to the UAE.

He noted that one million Australian tourists visit or transit the UAE every year, a proof of the excellent services and high quality facilities provided by the relevant authorities for tourists and visitors.

Discussing the regional developments, particularly those in Iraq and Syria, the two sides stressed that countering crises in the region successfully hinges upon determination and resolve in the first place and then upon political solutions that would lead to understanding, security and stability.

In this context, the Australian premier made note of the experience of the UAE under the leadership of the President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan in terms of religious, cultural and humane moderation and openness to the peoples of the world. This, he noted, sends across the clear message that Islam is tolerant and that the Islamic culture upholds the values of justice and humanism that petty extremist groups are attempting to disfigure to abuse Islam and Muslims everywhere.

The meeting was attended by Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of the Emirates Group, Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation,  Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Gargawi, Minister for Cabinet Affairs, Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri, Minister of Economy, Dr. Anwar bin Mohammed Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemi, Minister of State, Mohammed Ibrahim Al Shaibani, Director-General of Dubai Ruler's Court, Khalifa Saeed Sulaiman, Director-General of Dubai's Protocol Department, as well as Pablo Kang, the Australian Ambassador to the UAE.
 

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.