UAE-Germany ties touch new heights

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The two leaders yesterday also engaged in wide-ranging talks in the German capital covering key issues of bilateral interest as well as important international issues including the latest developments in the Mideast, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and the situation in Iran, Iraq, Lebanon and Afghanistan.

Merkel said categorically, the Middle East crisis would be best settled through establishing the Palestinian and Israeli states, pledging support for the Palestinian National Authority and training of Palestinian police personnel in Germany. Commenting on the emphasis Germany and other leading European Union members place on enhancing their economic relations and trade ties with the Gulf states, Merkel also noted “there is room for more development in foreign policy as well as more economic cooperation. We are also looking to finalise an economic pact between EU and the AGCC states — including the UAE.”

Shaikh Mohammed, who concluded his official two-day state visit to Germany on a high note yesterday, and the German Chancellor also addressed a joint Press conference in the majestic German Federal Parliament building—the Bundestag.

Both Shaikh Mohammed and Angela Merkel took turns to underscore the key elements of the strategic UAE-German relationship and emphasised that this special relationship will be further enhanced in all spheres of common interest.

Merkel, highlighting the goodwill and the rapport Germany already shares with the UAE, said, “I am very grateful that Shaikh Mohammed and his high-ranking delegation has come here on this visit. We welcome them warmly and we intend to add more substance and vitality to our valued relationship.”

She added, “We are interested in developing a really strong partnership with the UAE and can play a role in several key sectors including infrastructure, public transport, technology and logistics.”

Acknowledging Shaikh Mohammed’s consistent emphasis and initiatives in the field of education, she added, “in this vital sphere too we can play a big role.”

Shaikh Mohammed, in response to a query from a journalist, said, “As far as the Iran situation is concerned, Iran is our neighbour and the best solution would be a political solution. We are opposed to any use of force against any neighbouring country. However, I remain optimistic that a just solution would soon be found in this context.”

On Afghanistan, he said, “the international community needs to do more to speed up the national reconstruction process in Afghanistan and to ensure that peace and stability is restored at the earliest – that will also ensure that the Taliban do not regain support there.”

Merkel also cited her country’s role in Afghanistan, as part of the EU and NATO initiative, to help restore peace and stability in the war-torn country. She also cautioned against splitting the country into various danger zones.

A large number of the local German media and the international Press, including senior media representatives from the UAE who were part of Sheikh Mohammed’s delegation, attended the Press conference.

The German Chancellor also pointed out that Germany was “deeply interested” in achieving a real and meaningful partnership with the UAE government and also at the private sector levels.

Shaikh Mohammed also received the German Foreign Minister, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, yesterday and discussed a range of bilateral issues and how best to enhance them further.

He also expressed his optimism that the visit would also bear good fruit for the two nations and their peoples, especially in sectors like economy, science and culture – as the two countries share many common values and priorities.

Those present at this meeting included: the Dubai Deputy Ruler, Shaikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, UAE Foreign Minister, Shaikh Abdullah bin Zayed al Nahyan, a number of shaikhs, ministers, senior officials and the UAE ambassador to Germany, Mohammed Ahmed al-Mahmoud.

On the first day of his visit, Shaikh Mohammed also met leading German business leaders in Berlin and urged German investors and medium and small-sized companies to boost their presence in different sectors of the UAE economy.

The UAE Minister of Economy, Shaikha Lubna Al-Qassimi, who was accompanying Shaikh Mohammed stressed that the UAE welcomes investors who wish to “tap investment potentials” in the Emirates on the basis of mutual gain and benefit.

Meanwhile yesterday, Shaikh Mohammed and members of his delegation also took some time out to visit the Islamic Art Museum in central Berlin – where he was presented with a special translated edition of the tales of “1001 Arabian Nights.”

The museum is a famed repository of Islamic art and artifacts and attracts a large number of visitors throughout the year.

 

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