Mohammed bin Rashid, Romanian Prime Minister hold talks, witness signing of agreements

Dubai, 5th May, 2015 (WAM) -- Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum received the visiting Prime Minister of Romania, Victor Ponta, at the Zabeel Palace yesterday. Sheikh Mohammed welcomed the Romanian Prime Minister and his accompanying delegation, wishing the visit would contribute towards further enhancing bilateral relations between the friendly countries and peoples. As he welcomed Romanian companies, businessmen and tourists, H.H. emphasised the desire of the UAE leadership, government and people to open up new, constructive channels of communication with sisterly and friendly countries in order to serve everyone's national higher interests. On his part, the Romanian Prime Minister said the president, the government and the people of Romania were eager to expand the scope of cooperation and contacts with the UAE at government and non-government levels. He said that a high-level Romanian delegation comprising senior government officials and representatives of the private sector will visit the UAE this month to hold expanded meetings with their UAE counterparts to discuss the possibility of forging broad investment and trade partnerships. Additionally, Prime Minister Ponta also welcomed the UAE's investments in Romania, notably in agricultural and animal sectors, in which Romania has a long experience. He expressed his profound thanks to Sheikh Mohammed, his government and the people of the UAE for treating wonderfully the more than 7,000 strong Romanian community members, who are working and living in the UAE peacefully and with respect. The Romanian Prime Minister expressed his hope that more flights by flydubai between Dubai and Romania would become operational, adding to the four flights per week currently. He noted that air traffic contributes positively to extending bridges of communication between people and increasing trade and tourism exchange. Later, Sheikh Mohammed and the Romanian Prime Minister witnessed the signing of a number of agreements and memoranda of understanding between the two countries. An agreement on mutual visa waiver for holders of diplomatic and special passports, and a memoranda of understanding regarding political consultations, higher education and scientific research were inked by Dr. Anwar bin Mohammed Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, and the Romanian minister of education. Obaid bin Humaid Al Tayer, Minister of State for Financial Affairs, and the Romanian minister of economy, trade and tourism signed an agreement on avoidance of double taxation on income. Sheikh Mohammed and Ponta expressed the hope after the signing ceremony that these agreements would lay down the building block for increasing trade exchange, which stands at US$400 million a year. They also hoped for a further push in tourism, cultural and investment relations to serve the mutual interests of the friendly countries and peoples. - Emirates News Agency, WAM – http://www.wam.ae/en/news/emirates/1395280131317.html