Mohammed bin Rashid: UAE foreign policy is based on peace, development and openness to friendship with everyone

Abu Dhabi (WAM): Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has highlighted that the UAE's foreign policy is based on peace, development and openness to friendship with everyone. In the same context, Sheikh Mohammed said that, "The UAE is a friend for all; peace is the basis of our foreign policy of peace and contribution to international development efforts; and helping the poor, the needy and the weak tops the UAE's diplomatic agenda." He added, "The country's participation in development and relief efforts around the world is a permanent feature of our diplomacy that future generations will inherit with pride and appreciation." His Highness made the remarks while presiding over the Cabinet meeting, which was held yesterday at the Presidential Palace in the presence of H.H. Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, and H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs. During the meeting, the Cabinet approved the UAE's request to be an associate member in the Development Assistance Committee affiliated to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. It also approved the appointment of Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori as Director-General of the UAE's Smart Government. In terms of international agreements, the Cabinet endorsed the marine transport and ports agreement between the UAE and Algeria, where the agreement aims to strengthen and develop economic and trade relations between the two brotherly countries and work to facilitate cooperation between the two countries in the field of maritime transport. In the field of air transport agreements, the Cabinet endorsed the agreement on regulating air transport services agreement between the UAE Government and the governments of Argentina, Kosovo, Zambia, and Cambodia. It also approved the signing of an Agreement of Cooperation and Mutual Administrative Assistance in Customs Affairs between the UAE and the Maldives, to serve the interests of the country and all the parties and to promote joint international cooperation. – Emirates News Agency, WAM