Mohamed bin Zayed discusses ties of friendship, co-operation

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, on Saturday met Juan Manuel Santos, President of the Republic of Colombia, who is currently on a visit to the UAE.

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed welcomed the Colombian President and his delegation and expressed hope that his visit would further contribute to enhancing ties of friendship and co-operation between the two countries.

During the meeting, attended by H.H. Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chief of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince's Court, and H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the two sides discussed bilateral relations and ways to improve them. They also reviewed the steps to strengthen co-operation, especially in economic, development and investment fields.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed applauded President Santos’ initiative to end the civil war in Colombia a step that earned him the Noble Peace Prize last year. He wished President Santos success in his endeavours and further progress and prosperity to the people of Colombia.

Sheikh Mohamed also emphasised that under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE is going ahead with its approach of maintaining strong relations with friends in South America and supporting co-operation with Colombia in all domains.

President Santos said he was pleased to visit the UAE and meet Sheikh Mohamed to discuss political and economic issues, as well as the issues related to humanitarian works and peace. He added that his country looks forward to expanding co-operation with the UAE.

The meeting was attended by Obaid bin Humaid Al Tayer, Minister of State for Financial Affairs; Suhail bin Mohammed Faraj Faris Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Industry; Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Affairs Authority; Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi; Mohamed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, Under-Secretary of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince's Court; Lt. General Isa Saif bin Ablan Al Mazrouei, Deputy Chief of Staff of the UAE Armed Forces, and Mohamed Isa Qattam Al Zaabi, UAE Ambassador to Colombia.

From the Colombian side, it was attended by Maria Angela Holguin, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Maria Claudia Lacouture, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism; Mauricio Cardenas, Minister of Finance; German Arce, Minister of Mines and Energy, and Fayhan Al Fayez Shalhoub, Colombian Ambassador to the UAE.