UAE looks to further boost Turkey ties, Mohammad bin Zayed says

Feb 29, 2012 (WAM) - Visiting Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan held talks here yesterday over mechanisms of enhancing relations of cooperation in light of unflinching support extended by leaders of the two friendly countries. Sheikh Mohammed and his Turkish host exchanged views on the latest developments in the region with an eye on current events in Syria and issues of mutual concern. Sheikh Mohammed said ''The UAE-Turkey relations were built on solid foundations of mutual interests and respect, underlining the sincere desire of UAE President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan to deepening these bonds and pushing them forward for maintaining security and stability in the region'. ''While we highlight the importance of the strategic relations of cooperation between the UAE and Turkey, we are also looking forward to greater avenues of cooperation based on rapid growth of bilateral relations over the recent years and shared views on array of issues and events the region has experienced. This also underscores sincere desire by both countries to exchange views on a host of regional and international agenda and future challenges,'' Sheikh Mohammed added. ''We also value Turkey's support for Arab issues and we are resolve on further enhancing ties with the Republic of Turkey with high hope that our mutual efforts will bolster security and stability as well as development in countries of the region,'' the top UAE official asserted. For his part, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan marvelled at the spectacular progress the UAE is experiencing, which earned it a prominent place regionally and internationally thanks to its wise leadership. Turkey and the UAE, he added, have a common conviction on the importance of pushing bilateral relations of cooperation ahead so as to serve interests of the two friendly peoples. HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Anwar Mohammed Gargash Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority, Hamad Al Hur Al Suwaidi, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Finance Department, Nasser Ahmad Al Suwaidi, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, Mohammed Mubarak Al Mazroui Undersecretary of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince's Court, and Khalid Khalifa Al Mualla, UAE Ambassador to Turkey, were present at the talks. Attending from the Turkish side were Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutolu, National Defence Minister Ismet Yilmaz, Economy Minister Zafer Caglayan, Energy Minister Taner Yildiz, and a number of top Turkish officials as well as Turkish Ambassador to UAE Vural Altay. - Emirates News Agency, WAM