Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister, and Frank-Walter Steinmeier, German Foreign Minister, have discussed the excellent friendship and cooperative relations between the two friendly countries and ways of enhancing them to serve the common interest of both nations.

During the meeting yesterday evening in Berlin, both sides stressed the importance of supporting regional and international efforts to lay the foundations of peace, security and stability in the region to confront the current challenges, particularly terrorism, and address the emergence of organisations seeking to impose themselves as an alternative to state and national legitimacy.

H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed pointed out the achievement of great development in bilateral relations between the two countries in all fields, which have created a strategic partnership that serves the interests of both countries. He expressed his hopes that the future will witness more cooperation in various sectors, to better serve future ambitions, especially in the areas of development of economy, investment and energy.

The two ministers also discussed joint efforts between the UAE and Germany in Afghanistan, especially in the military, security, economic, development and humanitarian fields. During the meeting both parties reviewed a number of issues of common concern in several areas, including coordination and consultation on a number of regional issues, particularly the Arab coalition initiative, Operation Restoring Hope, for security and stability in Yemen. H.H. Sheikh Abdullah praised the role of Saudi Arabia in the leadership of the coalition.

Sheikh Abdullah commended the insightful outlook of The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia, and his wise government, in dealing with the situation in Yemen as required by the circumstances to defend the people of Yemen, to ensure the border security of Saudi Arabia and to keep the Gulf security away from imminent threats and challenges.

His Highness re-affirmed that this is a continuation of the firm stance of Saudi Arabia to support the brotherly people of Yemen, adding that Saudi Arabia has always sought and continued to make a great effort to ensure the stability of Yemen on both political and economic levels, to achieve the aspirations of the people of Yemen and their security, stability and sustainable development in all aspects of life.

Sheikh Abdullah pointed out the relief and humanitarian role played by the UAE and Saudi Arabia, sending several aircrafts and ships loaded with relief materials and medical supplies to Aden immediately after the announcement of the liberation of Aden.

H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed and Mr Steinmeier reviewed the latest developments in Syria and Libya, stressing the importance of efforts by the UN special envoy to Libya, Bernardino Leon, in addition to the importance of supporting the Libyan dialogue to form a 'Government of national concord' to achieve stability, to meet the aspirations of the Libyan people and to safeguard the country's territorial unity.

The German Foreign Minister re-affirmed the importance of the strong relations between his country and the UAE, stressing the keenness of the two countries on the development of mechanisms for joint action in various political, economic and investment aspects.

He added that the UAE and Germany have built joint cooperation on solid foundations to help achieve their ambitions, saying that the policies of the UAE enjoy praise and appreciation in both regional and international arenas.
Source: WAM