Emirati ambassador says relations with Portugal are historic and strong

COIMBRA, Portugal, 14th October, 2015 (WAM) -- Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates in Portugal, Sheikha Najla Al Qasimi, has stressed that relations with Portugal are historic and strong, thanks to the Portuguese expeditions whose great influence on the Emirati national heritage can be seen even today. In a speech at the opening of the third Heritage Fair, she called upon the participants to visit the Emirati pavilion, managed by Sharjah Heritage Institute with direct support from H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. The United Arab Emirates is the guest of honour at the fair, along with seventy exhibitors from the government and private sectors of Portugal. Spain and France are participating in the fair, organised with support from the Portuguese presidency and under the patronage of the Secretary of State for Culture, Jorge Barreto Xavier, at the historic Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Velha, between 9-11 October with the theme "Heritage Internationalisation." Following the opening ceremony, Mr Xavier visited the Emirati pavilion where he was presented with a memento shield by Chairman of Sharjah Heritage Institute, Abdulaziz Al Musallam, who is also a member of an arbitration committee that selects the best pavilion of the fair. – Emirates News Agency, WAM - http://www.wam.ae/en/news/emirates/1395286689250.html