By NNN-WAM
Abu Dhabi : UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and visiting US President George W. Bush held talks at the Al Mushref Palace here on ways of boosting bilateral relations in various domains.
Latest developments in the region also figured high during talks between the two leaders Sunday.
Sheikh Khalifa welcomed Bush, hailing “the growing relations between the two friendly countries in all fields, particularly in political, economic, military and cultural spheres.” The president reiterated the UAE’s keenness to bolster its distinguished economic partnership with the US, being the major economic partner in the Arabian Gulf region.
Talks also touched on latest developments in regards to the Middle East peace process in light of Bush’s tour of the region and his talks with Palestinian, Israeli and Arab leaders.
The two heads of state also discussed a wide-range of issues pertinent to maintaining security and stability in the Arabian Gulf region, situation in Iraq, Lebanon, Afghanistan in addition to other topics in regard to fighting terrorism.
“The UAE is a partner in the anti-terror campaign and will exert whatever possible to achieve stability and development in the region and world as well,” Sheikh Khalifa said, highlighting the role of US in maintaining security in the Arabian Gulf region and activating the Middle East peace as per Bush’s vision of setting up a viable Palestinian state based on the Road Map and the Arab Peace Initiative.
For his part, Bush expressed his pleasure at visiting the UAE. He also acknowledged the regional and international position the UAE has gained and economic boom it has achieved which he termed as example to be emulated.
The US president also highlighted the UAE’s role in maintaining regional and international security and peace. He reiterated significance of the UAE-US relations in all fields, particularly, economic, political and military fields, adding that “the US administration is looking forward to further boost and expand joint cooperation and coordination”.
The talks were attended on the UAE side by Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan and a number of Sheikhs, ministers and senior officials.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and other members of the delegation accompanying Bush also attended the talks.