Sheikh Mohammed and king of Belgium during their visit to Expo 2020 Dubai on Saturday.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on Saturday met King Philippe of Belgium, who is on a visit to the UAE to participate in Belgium’s National Day celebrations at Expo 2020 Dubai.

The meeting, which took place at Expo 2020 Dubai’s Sustainability Pavilion, was attended by Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance.

Welcoming King Philippe, his wife Queen Mathilde and the delegation that accompanied them, Sheikh Mohammed highlighted the strong relations between the UAE and Belgium.

Belgium’s participation in Expo 2020 Dubai provides a new opportunity for both countries to advance their commercial, cultural and knowledge-based economic cooperation, His Highness noted.

At a broader level, the UAE is looking forward to strengthening its strategic partnership with the European Union, building on the strong historical relations between the two sides, he said.

The meeting discussed how UAE and Belgium can broaden the horizons of economic cooperation in various fields, especially investment and technology.

Both sides agreed that advancement of cooperation requires the two countries to enhance interaction and generate more opportunities for the private sectors of both countries to invest in each other’s markets.

The two leaders stressed the importance of spreading the values of peace and cooperation in the world and promoting openness and coexistence by encouraging constructive dialogue between nations and cultures.

The meeting was also attended by Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, and Chairman of the Expo 2020 Dubai Higher Committee; Sheikh Mansoor Bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum; His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence; other ministers and senior officials.

Sheikh Abdullah receives Belgian FM:

Separately, Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, received Sophie Wilmès, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belgium, at Expo 2020 Dubai.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed bilateral relations between the two friendly countries and ways to develop joint cooperation in various fields.

Sheikh Abdullah and Sophie Wilmès also discussed the latest developments in the region and a number of regional and international issues of common interest.

Sheikh Abdullah welcomed the visit of Sophie Wilmès, stressing the distinguished bilateral relations that bring together the two friendly countries and the continuous keenness to strengthen them and develop joint cooperation in various fields.

For her part, Sophie Wilmès praised the excellent organization of Expo 2020 Dubai, stressing the depth of relations between the two friendly countries.

She affirmed her strong condemnation of the Houthi terrorist militia’s attacks on civilian areas and facilities in the UAE.

Reem Bint Ibrahim Al Hashemy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, and Director General Expo 2020 Dubai, and Mohamed Al Sahlawi, UAE ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium, attended the meeting.