Khalifa receives German Chancellor Angela Merkel

President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan held talks yesterday at Mushrif Palace with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who is currently visiting the country in a regional tour.
Sheikh Khalifa warmly welcomed the German Chancellor and her entourage, referring to the cooperation ties and friendship, which have been growing steadily between the two countries. He stressed that the UAE is keen to further consolidate relations with the Federal Republic of Germany to benefit from its developmental experiences, especially in the areas of technology, energy, economy and industry.
The UAE President reiterated that Germany is an important partner to the UAE, especially in the next period in which the UAE will witness huge transformations regarding the developmental projects in the fields of alternative energy to achieve sustainable development.
The two leaders discussed the bilateral relations and exchanged views on a number of economic, political, regional and international issues, as well as on issues of common interest.
For her part, Merkel said that her country is looking forward to expanding joint cooperation between the two countries, especially in the light of world economic transformations and the impact of the World Financial Crisis on the major economies in the world.
She said that her country is determined to pursue cooperation to tap abundant UAE opportunities, among others, alternative energy fields, whose Germany has great expertise, adding that the two countries could cooperate in this field and others.
The UAE President conferred Zayed Order on Merkel. The Order is usually conferred on Presidents and Kings to reflect the depth of cooperation ties and friendship.
The German Chancellor thanked Sheikh Khalifa for this kind gesture, lauding the strength of relations between the two leadership and peoples. – Emirates News Agency, WAM