ID :
111844
Tue, 03/16/2010 - 16:15
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/111844
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Emirati-German Friendship Society holds its fifth meeting in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi, Mar 21, 2010 (WAM)- The Emirati-German Friendship Society held its fifth meeting yesterday at the Al-Nakheel Palace in the Western Region. Ruler's Representative in the Western Region HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan co chaired the meeting along with former German chancellor Dr. Gerhard Schroeder.
The meeting was attended by HE Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Chairman Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abdullah Mohammed Al Masoud, Speaker National Consultative Council and the members of the Society from both countries.
In his opening remarks Sheikh Hamdan said that the bilateral ties between United Arab Emirates and the Federal Republic of Germany have always been characterised by respect and mutual appreciation thanks to the wise guidance of President HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and HH General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, crown prince of Abu Dhabi and deputy supreme commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
He stressed the importance of the agreement signed between the two countries in 2004, which marked the beginning of a new phase in relations between the two countries. He asserted that the communication and coordination will continue with the participation of many sectors in the country during the next stage to strengthen the strategic relationship between them.
He also asserted that the coming stage will witness the joint cooperation in several large projects in the fields of renewable energy, oil and gas, development and infrastructure, and will also mark joint investments.
Sheikh Hamdan underscored the importance UAE attaches to the development of renewable energy like several other world countries.
He also pointed out that the UAE is building the 4 nuclear facilities for peaceful purposes and is committed to this goal. This is in addition to the country's interest in natural gas and petroleum industries, tourism and others.
Sheikh Hamdan said: "We have had numerous discussions with the German side on the railway industry. Germany has a long tradition and considerable experience in this industry and hope that the German firms will make major contributions in this vital industry".
Sheikh Hamdan also stressed that the UAE has distinguished relations with Germany, as well as with many other countries of the world, including the U.S, France and England.
In his remarks Dr. Gerhard Schroeder said that Emirati German Friendship Society has given the two countries a further impetus to continue their close and trusting cooperation.
"In its three years of existence, the Society has made important contributions in improving the Emirati German relations. These include all fields - politics, business, research and culture", he noted.
Schroeder said that this year's conference takes place amid difficult times. The international economic and financial crisis has made it abundantly clear, how closely connected the countries of the world are and how dependent we are on each other. "Global challenges can no longer be solved by one country alone. We are only able to react to the concerns and problems of our time as a community", he added.
He named just a few such concerns and said that the establishment of a fair form of globalisation, the safeguarding of energy supplies, the fight against poverty, as well as the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
"In order to solve these enormous problems, we need to work together at a multilateral level. In the past few years, the nations in the Gulf, above all the United Arab Emirates, have lived up to their international responsibilities", Schroeder said.
He said that UAE's importance with regard to regional stability, a reliable international energy supply, and with regard to economic relations between Europe and the Arab region, cannot be stressed enough.
Schroeder stressed that the United Arab Emirates are an anchor of stability and are becoming the region's most important economic centre.
"In Germany we are impressed with the goal you have set for your country, that of modernising society while maintaining your cultural identity", Schroeder said.
He added: "Our goal includes the continued improvement and expansion of our mutual economic and political cooperation. This pertains not just to Germany's involvement in the United Arab Emirates, but also to the Emirate's involvement in our country".
Schroeder said that the existence of the Emirati German Friendship Society would be unthinkable without the dedicated commitment of HH Sheikh Hamdan.
The meeting was attended by HE Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Chairman Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abdullah Mohammed Al Masoud, Speaker National Consultative Council and the members of the Society from both countries.
In his opening remarks Sheikh Hamdan said that the bilateral ties between United Arab Emirates and the Federal Republic of Germany have always been characterised by respect and mutual appreciation thanks to the wise guidance of President HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and HH General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, crown prince of Abu Dhabi and deputy supreme commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
He stressed the importance of the agreement signed between the two countries in 2004, which marked the beginning of a new phase in relations between the two countries. He asserted that the communication and coordination will continue with the participation of many sectors in the country during the next stage to strengthen the strategic relationship between them.
He also asserted that the coming stage will witness the joint cooperation in several large projects in the fields of renewable energy, oil and gas, development and infrastructure, and will also mark joint investments.
Sheikh Hamdan underscored the importance UAE attaches to the development of renewable energy like several other world countries.
He also pointed out that the UAE is building the 4 nuclear facilities for peaceful purposes and is committed to this goal. This is in addition to the country's interest in natural gas and petroleum industries, tourism and others.
Sheikh Hamdan said: "We have had numerous discussions with the German side on the railway industry. Germany has a long tradition and considerable experience in this industry and hope that the German firms will make major contributions in this vital industry".
Sheikh Hamdan also stressed that the UAE has distinguished relations with Germany, as well as with many other countries of the world, including the U.S, France and England.
In his remarks Dr. Gerhard Schroeder said that Emirati German Friendship Society has given the two countries a further impetus to continue their close and trusting cooperation.
"In its three years of existence, the Society has made important contributions in improving the Emirati German relations. These include all fields - politics, business, research and culture", he noted.
Schroeder said that this year's conference takes place amid difficult times. The international economic and financial crisis has made it abundantly clear, how closely connected the countries of the world are and how dependent we are on each other. "Global challenges can no longer be solved by one country alone. We are only able to react to the concerns and problems of our time as a community", he added.
He named just a few such concerns and said that the establishment of a fair form of globalisation, the safeguarding of energy supplies, the fight against poverty, as well as the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
"In order to solve these enormous problems, we need to work together at a multilateral level. In the past few years, the nations in the Gulf, above all the United Arab Emirates, have lived up to their international responsibilities", Schroeder said.
He said that UAE's importance with regard to regional stability, a reliable international energy supply, and with regard to economic relations between Europe and the Arab region, cannot be stressed enough.
Schroeder stressed that the United Arab Emirates are an anchor of stability and are becoming the region's most important economic centre.
"In Germany we are impressed with the goal you have set for your country, that of modernising society while maintaining your cultural identity", Schroeder said.
He added: "Our goal includes the continued improvement and expansion of our mutual economic and political cooperation. This pertains not just to Germany's involvement in the United Arab Emirates, but also to the Emirate's involvement in our country".
Schroeder said that the existence of the Emirati German Friendship Society would be unthinkable without the dedicated commitment of HH Sheikh Hamdan.
