UAE Foreign Minister reinforces strong US-UAE relationship in Washington
WASHINGTON, DC (24 February 2010) - HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today met with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and numerous Congressional leaders from both the Democratic and Republican parties. In his meeting with Secretary Clinton, the Foreign Minister reaffirmed the UAE's strong ongoing support for Afghanistan-Pakistan stabilization initiatives, and for multilateral efforts toward improving security in the region. Moreover, he stressed the UAE's commitment to a comprehensive solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict, with the common objective of achieving a two-state solution in which Israelis and Palestinians can live side-by-side in peace and security.
UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
The Foreign Minister and Secretary Clinton also discussed the progress in Iraq, and the two countries' efforts to support the ongoing relief efforts in Haiti. In addition, they touched on the recent assassination that took place in UAE.
Following their discussion, Secretary Clinton and the Foreign Minister issued the following joint statement:
"The United States and the United Arab Emirates have a strong partnership and share a common vision for a secure, stable, and prosperous Middle East. During our meeting today in Washington, we had an opportunity to follow-up on our January 28 discussion in London, and discussed a wide array of regional issues.
We re-affirmed our commitment to comprehensive peace, and to the common objective of achieving a two state solution in which Israelis and Palestinians live side by side in peace and security. We agreed on the need for the parties to resume negotiations as soon as possible. In addition, we discussed the challenges posed by Iran's increasingly disturbing and destabilizing actions, its failure to fulfill its international obligations, and the importance of working with the international community to address these issues. We also discussed how the U.S. and the UAE could continue their close cooperation to help stabilize and support Yemen.
We discussed the important leadership role the UAE has taken with respect to providing key financial, political, and security support to Afghanistan and Pakistan, the UAE's generosity towards Haiti in the wake of the devastating earthquake, and the UAE's progressive policies aimed at empowering women.
We look forward to continued close cooperation on all of these key issues and on the continued strengthening and deepening of the U.S.-UAE bilateral relationship."
The Foreign Minister and Ambassador Al Otaiba pose with Senator Joe Lieberman
Later in the day, the Foreign Minister met with Senator Joe Lieberman (I-CT) and Congressman Gary Ackerman (D-NY) to discuss issues of mutual interest. HE Yousef Al Otaiba, UAE Ambassador to US, accompanied the Foreign Minister in his meetings. Commenting on the discussions, Ambassador Al Otaiba said:
"The UAE has an excellent relationship with both the executive and the legislative branches of the US government, and the Foreign Minister's productive meetings today reinforced these strong ties," said Ambassador Al Otaiba. "Our deep bilateral collaboration in the security, economic and cultural arenas is valued at both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue, and our relationship will only grow stronger over the years."
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