Abdullah bin Zayed continues his meetings in New York

New York, NY: UAE Foreign Minister H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan held yesterday a series of meetings with Foreign Ministers taking part in the 68th session of the UN General Assembly. Sheikh Abdullah met with Ivan Mrkic, Serbian Minister of Foreign Affairs, for discussions on ways of boosting bilateral cooperation in economic, trade, investment and cultural fields and on the possibility of setting up a joint ministerial committee between the two countries. The two ministers also exchanged views on the latest regional and international developments including the current situation in Syria and Egypt. The Serbian foreign minister told Sheikh Abdullah that the Serbian president planned to visit the UAE in 2014 for talks on means of enhancing ties with the UAE and other countries in the region. At a meeting with Linas Antanas Linkevicius, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Sheikh Abdullah explored avenues of strengthening cooperation in areas like trade, economy, investment, industry, air transport and renewable energy, to serve the interests of the two countries. Another meeting, with the Montenegrin Foreign Minister, Igot Luksic, reviewed ways of strengthening bilateral ties in the fields of economic relations and investment. Sheikh Abdullah also received the Thai Foreign Minister, Surapong Tovichakchaikul, and discussed with him issues related to food security and investment. The two ministers expressed interest in signing an agreement on the promotion and encouragement of joint investment. Sheikh Abdullah also noted that he hoped to visit Thailand next year. The UAE Foreign Minister also met with Maltese Minister for Foreign Affairs George W. Vella and reviewed with him ways of enhancing bilateral ties and cooperation. The two ministers exchanged views on a variety of political issues of mutual interest including latest development in Syria and Egypt. At a meeting with Italian Foreign Minister Emma Bonino, Sheikh Abdullah explored ways of expanding avenues of joint cooperation in trade, economic, investment and cultural domains. Sheikh Abdullah expressed his support for establishing a new Italian school in the UAE. The two ministers also took stock of the latest regional and international developments in the Middle East and North Africa and reviewed their countries' political positions towards the Syrian crisis and the current situation in Egypt, Libya and Tunisia. The UAE Foreign Minister and his Senegalese counterpart Mankeur Ndiaye shared views on the current regional and international events with a focus on Egypt and Syria. The two ministers expressed their support for the roadmap for the future in Egypt. Wide range of issues regarding trade and investment exchange and civil aviation were raised during the meeting. The two ministers expressed their interest in signing two agreements on avoidance of taxation and promotion and protection of investment. Sheikh Abdullah concluded his diplomatic activities of the day by a meeting with Ugandan Foreign Minister Sam Kutesa during they reviewed positions of the UAE and Uganda towards agenda of the 68th session of the UN General Assembly including the international anti-piracy efforts off the coast of Somalia. Upon discussing the current situation in Egypt, the two ministers expressed their support for the roadmap for the future adopted by the transitional government. – Emirates News Agency, WAM