By NNN-KUNA
Berlin : Visiting Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum on Thursday called for a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian issue.
Al-Maktoum was speaking at a joint news conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
He said that during the meeting he had discussed with Merkel several Arab and international issues of mutual concern, including Palestine, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan and Lebanon.
He added that they had considered solutions to the issues that spark conflicts and raise tensions in many regions, such as Middle East, Afghanistan and other volatile regions in the world.
The UAE attaches much attention to cooperation with Germany in various economic, educational and renewable energy fields, he said, adding that his country had a big budget for this energy.
On Iran, he said, “Iran is a neighboring country and we refuse the use of force against any neighboring or sister country. All the countries should exercise greater efforts to find a solution with Iran in this respect.”
For her part, Merkel told the joint news conference that she had shared views with Al-Maktoum on German-UAE relations and possible cooperation in the fields of education and foreign policy.
Merkel said “Germany looks forward to establishing true partnership with the UAE on governmental and private levels.”
She added that there was now cooperation in the fields of infrastructure, logistics, particularly in the airport and road construction sector, pointing to wider opportunities of joint cooperation in the fields of health, education, energy, transport and others.
“There is a cooperation between Germany and the UAE particularly and European Union (EU) and GCC countries in general”, she said, hoping that agreements will be struck in this respect between EU and GCC to set up a joint chamber of commerce.
Merkel noted that the Middle East crisis would be settled through establishing the Palestinian and Israeli states, pledging support for the Palestinian National Authority and training of the Palestinian police in Germany.
Responding to a question by Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) on Israeli-Palestinian talks, Merkel stressed the importance of continuing negotiations between the Israelis and the Palestinians in a bid to clear the climate for reviving the peace process and achieving favorable developments.
Al-Maktoum arrived here earlier Wednesday on a two-day official visit to Germany.