Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, received on Thursday the visiting Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan and the delegation accompanying him, at his palace in Zabeel, Dubai.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid wished Sargsyan a successful visit that would help serve the joint interests of the two friendly countries and their peoples.

During his interaction with the Armenian President, Sheikh Mohammed said that the UAE's political policies are open for all countries and peoples who support peace and human values; these values also represent the UAE government and its people.

The UAE deems these values as a pillar for building bilateral relations with various countries through political, economic, cultural and other avenues, he added.

The Armenian President expressed his satisfaction at visiting the UAE and said he is proud of the historic friendship between the two countries’ leaders and people. He also stressed his country's willingness to cement these ties through investments and also by establishing economic and cultural partnerships with the UAE, which would translate into a mutual desire to achieve peace and welfare.

To boost these initiatives, H.H. Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, and Edward Nalbandian, Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs, signed a co-operation agreement in the field of security and for fighting terrorism.

Dr. Ahmad bin Abdulla Humaid Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of State for Higher Education, and Nalbandian also signed three memorandums of understanding, MoUs. The first MoU was signed to ensure scientific and technical co-operation between the two nations.

Dr. Jamal Mohammed Al Hosani, Director-General of the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority, and the Armenian Foreign Minister signed the second MoU for co-operation in the emergency domain.

The third MoU was inked by Mohammed Thani Murshid Al-Rumaithi, Chairman of the Federation of the UAE Chambers of Commerce and Industry, and Martin Sargsyan, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Republic of Armenia.

H.H. Sheikh Mohammed and President Sargsyan welcomed signing of the MoUs, adding that these would help achieve their objectives in the near future and benefit both the countries.

The signing ceremony was also attended by H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai; H.H. Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior; H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of the Emirates Group; H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation; Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemi, Minister of State for International Co-operation; Mohammed Ibrahim AI Shaibani, Director-General of His Highness the Dubai Ruler's Court; Khalifa Saeed Suleiman, Director-General of the Department of Protocol and Hospitality in Dubai; Dr. Jassim Mohammed Mubarak Al Qasimi, the UAE Ambassador to Armenia, and Armenian Ambassador to the UAE Gegham Gharibjanian.

The Armenian President also invited Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid to visit the capital Yerevan and it was accepted.

H.H. Sheikh Mohammed and President Sargsyan also attended the signing ceremony of a number of agreements and MoUs between the two countries, which they said, would be a good step to further enhance cultural, tourism and economic co-operation.