Mohammed bin Zayed holds talks with German Chancellor

Berlin, March 1, 2012 (WAM) - The visiting Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel held talks here yesterday over ways of bolstering bilateral relations and serving mutual interests between the two friendly countries and peoples. The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and the German Chancellor exchanged views on array of current regional and international developments of common concern. During the meeting, Sheikh Mohammed conveyed to the German Chancellor the best wishes of UAE President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and his satisfaction at the positive progress the UAE-Germany relations were witnessing as well as his keenness to further boosting them. Sheikh Mohammed asserted that relations between the UAE and Germany were based on solid foundations of mutual interests which rest on deeply-rooted common political will, a factor that provides more opportunities of diversity and vibrancy for more growth in future. The UAE top official stressed the importance of taking the Emirati-German economic and investment partnership to new heights, especially in area of joint investment in technology, sciences, knowledge, higher education, tourism, and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and how to benefit from Germany's leadership and progress in renewable energy and opening the door for young energies in both countries to share information and expertise which will advance and power the two economies. Sheikh Mohammed expressed his appreciation of the active role Germany is playing to attain peace in the Middle East and its support for all efforts towards stability at a time the world is in dire need for peace and economic welfare. For her part, German Chancellor Angela Merkel asked Sheikh Mohammed to pass her best wishes for good health and happiness to UAE President and more progress and prosperity to the leadership, government and people of the UAE. As she welcomed Sheikh Mohammed to Germany, the German Chancellor said she was confident the visit would help open up new avenues of joint cooperation and further energise the already strong partnership for the best interest of the two friendly countries. She said German is interested in tapping the promising opportunities the UAE boasts of in renewable energy which German has an advanced technology in it. Sheikh Mohammed attended a luncheon hosted by the German Chancellor in his honour and his entourage which comprises Dr. Anwar Mohammed Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, and a number of top officials. - Emirates News Agency, WAM