UAE President, the British Prime Minister hold talks

London, May 2, 2013 (WAM) - : President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan yesterday held talks with the British Prime Minister David Cameron at 10 Downing Street. The meeting is part of the activities during the state visit of the UAE President to the United Kingdom at the invitation of Queen Elizabeth II. During the meeting, the talks focused on ways to strengthen the cooperation and friendship between the two friendly countries in different fields, especially on the areas of politics, economy and investment. During the meeting, the two sides discussed a number of political, economic, trade and investment issues, as well as ways to strengthen the relations between the two countries and of opening up new means of co-operation and co-ordination between the two countries. They also exchanged views on the latest developments in the Middle East and the concerted efforts being exerted by all international parties to restore security and stability in the region. The UAE President stressed the desire of the UAE to achieve comprehensive peace n the region. He added that the UAE is one of the countries in the region with a balanced and wise policy, based on strategic objectives, this being followed by others. Sheikh Khalifa and Cameron also discussed bilateral co-operation in a number of areas, especially relating to the economy and investment, in the light of the expanding economic relations between the two countries, particularly in the sectors of industry, trade, renewable energy, health care, education, defence and other areas. The President said that the UAE is looking forward to the development of the strategic economic relationship with Britain, through joint, sustainable investment projects, that could contribute to a raising of the rate of growth in bilateral trade and investment. Sheikh Khalifa concluded by expressing his appreciation for the hospitality shown to him during his visit by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, the Duke of Edinburgh, other members of the royal family, the Government and the British people. He said that the visit had had a great impact on him and on relations between the two countries and friendly peoples. A statement issued by the Prime Minister's office after the meeting said that Cameron had described the State Visit as "a mark of the lasting and strategic importance to Britain of our relationship with the UAE." It added that "the two leaders agreed that the relationship had developed significantly in the last year, especially building a deeper and substantive defence partnership and significant new commercial links They discussed the action that the international community should take on the most pressing issues in the Gulf and wider region, including to address the challenge of Iran's nuclear programme, to end the appalling and dangerous conflict in Syria, and to bring new momentum to the peace process between Israel and Palestine. They agreed on the need for further support to stabilisation and development in Somalia at the London conference next week," it said. "The two leaders agreed to continue close engagement between the two Governments on important issues in the relationship," it concluded. The meeting was attended on the UAE side by HH Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, HH Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Court, HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister, HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, president of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and chairman of the Emirates Group, Ahmed Juma Al Za'abi, deputy minister of presidential affairs, Abdul Rahman Ghanem Al Mutaiwee, UAE Ambassador to the United Kingdom. On the British side, those attending included Dominic Jermey, British Ambassador to the UAE and a number of senior British officials. - Emirates News Agency, WAM