2009-10-23 11:47:47
WAM New York, Oct 23rd, 2009 (WAM): United Arab Emirates and the Principality of Liechtenstein signed last night a joint statement on the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between the two countries as of yesterday, Thursday, October 22, 2009.

The communique was signed at the Permanent Mission headquarters of the UAE to the United Nations in New York by Ambassador HE Ahmad Abdul Rahman Al Jarman, UAE's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, and by the Ambassador of the Principality of Liechtenstein Christian Wenaweser, Permanent Representative of the Principality of Liechtenstein to the United Nations, in the presence of the members of the diplomatic missions of both countries.

The joint statement, which was filed with the United Nations in both Arabic and English, mentioned their mutual willingness to promote mutual understanding and strengthen the friendship and cooperation between the two countries in the political, economic, social, humanitarian, cultural and scientific areas based upon the principles and purposes of the United Nations Charter and the norms of international law.

The statement also stressed their respect for the principles of equality among States, national sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and non-interference in the internal affairs of other States.

The statement also endorsed the establishment of diplomatic relations in accordance with the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of April 18, 1961, as of the date of the signing of this Joint Communique.

After the signing ceremony the two ambassadors discussed political, cultural and economic relations between the two countries and the ways to strengthen them.

The Principality of Liechtenstein is located in Central Europe in the Rhine valley in the mountains of the Alps, and is bordered to the east by Austria and to the west by Switzerland. Liechtenstein consists of 11 districts, whose economy relies heavily on financial services institutions, tourism, electronics and food industries. Liechtenstein imports 90 pc of its energy requirements.

WAM/AB