New UAE Ambassador to US presents his credentials to President Bush
Located at a critical position bordering the Arabian Gulf, the Indian Ocean and the Strait of Hormuz, the UAE is an important and reliable ally of the United States. President Bush visited the UAE in January and HH General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, was hosted by the President at Camp David last month.
"The U.A.E. enjoys a broad and comprehensive relationship with the United States, based on mutual interests," Ambassador Al Otaiba said after his meeting with President Bush. "I have been given a clear mission: to further strengthen the UAE's relationship with the United States." "The current state of U.A.E.-U.S. relations is excellent," continued Ambassador Al Otaiba. "We share common interests to advance peace and security, promote economic stability and growth, and forge closer cultural and educational ties." With one of the most open and innovative economies in the world, the UAE is a dependable and substantial economic partner with the United States. The US Commerce Department named the U.A.E. as the United States' single largest export market in the Arab World, with $11.6 billion in exports in 2007.
The U.A.E. worked together with the United States in Afghanistan, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, as well as UN Operations in Somalia and Kosovo, Ambassador Al Otaiba said.
As tangible evidence of the growing cultural relationship, Ambassador Al Otaiba cited the upcoming establishments of a Guggenheim Museum and a New York University campus in Abu Dhabi, as well as recent partnerships bringing a Boston University dental school and multiple Michigan State University degree programs to Dubai.
Previously, Ambassador Al Otaiba was Director of International Affairs for the Court of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. During his tenure, Ambassador Al Otaiba served as a senior advisor to H.H. General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the U.A.E. Armed Forces, as well as the UAE's principal security, anti-terrorism and defence liaison to other governments. In that regard, Ambassador Al Otaiba was heavily involved in diplomatic efforts to improve regional security and defence cooperation.
Most recently, Al Otaiba helped guide Abu Dhabi's leadership of multinational discussions on the best practices for sovereign wealth funds. This activity was an extension of Ambassador Al Otaiba's efforts to promote and deepen trade relationships between the U.A.E. and other government, commercial, and private sector entities.
Ambassador Al Otaiba studied International Relations at Georgetown University after graduating from the Cairo American College. He subsequently attended the Industrial College of the US Armed Forces at the National Defence University in Washington, DC as an International Fellow.
Speaking in Washington, DC Tuesday at a US-UAE Business Council meeting to welcome Ambassador Al Otaiba, US-UAE Business Council President Danny Sebright said, "Ambassador Al Otaiba brings a new dimension and energy to the US-UAE relationship. We look forward to working closely with the Ambassador on issues that are of importance to the US-UAE Business Council: expanding bilateral trade, promoting open investment and strengthening security ties." WAM/MN