2009-11-06 16:36:28
WAM Abuja, Libreville, Nov 06th, 2009 (WAM)--UAE Foreign Minister HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, said that his visits to Nigeria and Gabon were part of the contacts with the friendly African countries to further boost cooperation with the UAE.

The remarks were made in the wake of conclusion of the two visits to Nigeria and Gabon in which he was accompanied by high profile delegation, including HE Reem Ibrahim Al Hashimi, UAE State Minister, HE Eisa Abdullah Al Basha Al Nuaimi, Director of the African Affairs Department at the Foreign Ministry, HE Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development and top business figures.

In Libreville, the UAE Foreign minister was received by Gabonese President Ali Bongo. Sheikh Abdullah conveyed the regards of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan to the Gabonese president. On his part, the Gabonese president Ali Bongo conveyed his regards to Sheikh Khalifa and the UAE people.

The Gabonese president welcomed Sheikh Abdullah, hoping his visit would bolster the bilateral relations and friendship. The meeting discussed the bilateral relations and ways of strengthening them, particularly in the areas of economy, trade and investment, as well as exchanging views on the latest development at the regional and international levels. President Ali Bongo referred to the progress being experienced by the UAE under wise leadership of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Sheikh Abdullah expressed his pleasure on visiting Gabon and meeting of President Ali Bongo, hoping that the visit would open new avenues of cooperation and joint coordination between the two countries. He noted that the UAE was keen to boost ties with Gabon, adding that he has invited the Gabonese president to visit the UAE.

The UAE Foreign minister said that President Ali Bongo proposed to dispatch a technical team to the UAE to explore and discuss draft agreements that could be signed between the two sides. He added that he discussed with the Gabonese president the situation in the region, Sudan and peace process between Palestinians and Israelis. Sheikh Abdullah extended condolences to President Ali Bongo on the demise of his father, the former Gabonese president.

Present in the meeting was the Gabonese Foreign Minister Paul Toungui.

In related development, Al Hashimi chaired the UAE side in a meeting with the Gabonese side, including the Economy minister, Public Works minister, Health, Family and Social Development minister and Higher Education and Scientific Research minister. The meeting discussed the bilateral relations between the two countries and ways to boost the economic and investment ties, as well as forging partnerships in different fields. It also tackled a number of development projects, which the UAE could offer to Gabon, particularly in the fields of education, health tourism, infrastructure projects, housing and renewable energy.

Al Hashimi reiterated that the UAE was keen to extend cooperation with the African countries to help them improve the living conditions, hoping that the relations would witness more progress. The Gabonese sides hailed the UAE role in helping the needy countries through offering assistance in different fields.

In Nigerian capital, Abuja, Sheikh Abdullah met Vice Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, who lauded the UAE-Nigerian relations and joint cooperation. The two sides stressed that they were keen to further boost joint cooperation between the two countries, particularly in the fields of economy, investment and trade.

Sheikh Abdullah reiterated the significance of ties between the UAE and Nigeria and ways to bolster them in development of the economic and joint trade ties and encouragement of investments in advanced industrial and renewable energy fields.

The Nigerian official referred to the positive indications on expansion of bilateral cooperation channels between the two sides, adding that there was a new phase for building solid base for investment projects between the two countries.

Sheikh Abdullah also met Al Hajj Jabril, Nigerian State Minister for Foreign Affairs. The two officials discussed the latest developments at the regional and international levels and issues of common interest.

Present in the meeting were UAE Ambassador to Nigeria Rashid Nasser Al Dhahiri and Nigerian Ambassador to UAE Al Hajji Beshir Yuguda.

WAM/MN