Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum received yesterday in Zabeel Palace in Dubai, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani

Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, attended the reception.

Sheikh Mohammed and Ghani reviewed bilateral relations between the UAE and Afghanistan and ways to enhance them in joint fields between the two countries.

Sheikh Mohammed welcomed Ghani’s visit to the UAE, stressing the UAE’s keenness on developing ties with Afghanistan.

He also wished that relations would witness more development and progress in various domains.

Ghani emphasised his country’s desire to boost cooperation in various domains. He also praised the UAE’s pioneering stature at the regional and global arenas.

Present at the meeting were Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group; Mohammad bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and The Future; Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemy, Minister of State for International Cooperation; Mohammed Ibrahim Al Shaibani,Director-General of  The Ruler’s Court; Khalifa Saeed Suleiman, Director- General of the Department of Protocol and Hospitality in Dubai; Eisa Saif Al Dhaheri, UAE Ambassador to Afghanistan, and Abdul Fareed Zakaria, Ambassador of Afghanistan to the UAE.

Mohamed Bin Zayed

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, received on Sunday, President Ashraf Ghani of Afghanistan.

Upon his arrival at the Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi, President Ghani was accorded an official reception where the national anthems of the two countries were played, and a 21-gun salute was fired in honour of the guest.

Following the ceremony, the Afghan President was welcomed by Sheikhs, Ministers and senior officials. Sheikh Mohamed bin zayed also greeted members of the Afghani delegation accompanying President Ghani.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and President Ashraf Ghani discussed bilateral ties between the two friendly nations, and means to advance cooperation between them.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed welcomed the visit of the Afghan President and his accompanying delegation to the UAE and hoped the visit would contribute toward enhancing ties between the two countries, to achieve their mutual interest and aspirations for progress, development and prosperity.

During the meeting His Highness and President Ghani reviewed areas of cooperation in the trade and investment, development and humanitarian sectors, in addition to boosting efforts to support the reconstruction, development and peace initiatives in Afghanistan.

The two sides also reviewed issues of mutual interest, as well as regional and international developments, particularly those concerning efforts to combat terrorism and extremism, and means to achieve security, stability, and peace for the region and the world.

Sheikh Mohamed said that the UAE, under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, pays great attention to supporting regional and international efforts that aim to assist the Afghan people to overcome challenges, and obtain peace and stability within their country.

The UAE, His Highness added, is keen to continue its humanitarian and development support in education, health and social sectors of Afghanistan, which are essential pillars for development and stability in the country.

For his part, the Afghan President expressed his happiness on his visit to the UAE, praising the country’s endeavours to support the Afghan people via diverse dvelopment programmes across Afghanistan. The two sides affirmed the two countries’ efforts to develop bilateral relations in various fields of cooperation that serve their common interests and contribute to development and stability in the region.

WAM