UAE is keen to building bridges of friendship and tolerance with other countries: Khalifa

Abu Dhabi, June 5, 2012 (WAM) - The UAE is keen in extending bridges of friendship, cooperation and tolerance among nations, forging balanced relations and in furthering economic, cultural and tourist exchange with brotherly and friendly countries, President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan affirmed yesterday. The President highlighted the vital role the UAE diplomatic missions play in assisting UAE citizens abroad and taking care of their affairs. ''The UAE places its citizen at the top of its priorities and puts all its potentials at the disposal of serving the nation and its citizens,'' Sheikh Khalifa said yesterday when the new UAE ambassadors to Canada and Netherlands took the oath of office before him at al-Dhiafa Palace in Mushrif. Sheikh Khalifa also received credentials of 12 new ambassadors of sisterly and friendly countries in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in the Western Region. The President instructed the two envoys to make every effort to promote the UAE standing at the international community. ''We see you trustworthy of this mission and we hope you would dedicate yourself to the service of the homeland and its citizen,'' Sheikh Khalifa said while addressing the new diplomats: Mohammed Saif Al Shehi, UAE Ambassador to Canada and Abdullah Hamdan Al Naqbi, UAE Ambassador to Netherlands. Later, the President accepted letters of credence of five ambassadors of Maldives, Indonesia, Guinea, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Federal Republic Somalia and seven non-resident ambassadors of Nambia, Ghana, Estonia, Nicaragua, Malawi, Burkia Faso, and Cote d'Ivoire. Sheikh Khalifa welcomed the new ambassadors, wishing them success in their assignment of taking their countries' relations with UAE to new heights. The President also pledged the State would provide all assistance and help in the UAE - your second home - to facilitate your job and elevate relations of cooperation between your countries and the UAE to better levels. – Emirates News Agency, WAM