UAE CELEBRATES 39TH NATIONAL DAY WITH HOPES OF FURTHER PROGRESS

ABDUL MUIN MAJID

DUBAI, Dec 2 (Bernama) -- The United Arab Emirates (UAE) celebrated its 39th
National Day Thursday, with the government pledging to continue efforts to bring
further social and economic progress to this Gulf nation.

President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan said special attention would be
given to the development of remote areas to achieve a balance in social and
economic development at the national level.

In an address to the nation, he said the country had renewed confidence in the
strength, vitality and resilience of the UAE economy, saying that it had fully
recovered from the aftermath of the global financial crisis.

Sheikh Khalifa attributed this to the the country's stability and security,
excellent government services, modern infrastructure, wise management of
resources, attractive investment environment, advanced banking system, promising
industrial sector, and strong ties in foreign trade.

"The government will continue its quest for economic development, adopting
strategic planning as a means and competitiveness as an end," state media WAM
quoted the president whose speech was carried by the Diraa Al Watan magazine.

Sheikh Khalifa said the government would press ahead with the process of
updating legislation, regulating the labour market, empowering the private
sector and investing in national human resources, among others.

The UAE, he said, would continue to develop a programme for the peaceful use of
nuclear energy to meet growing energy needs, in compliance with highest
international standards.

On the international front, Sheikh Khalifa pledged UAE's full solidarity with
Bahrain and Yemen as the two countries confronted attempts to destabilise their
security and respective unity.

The UAE also condemned the Israeli government's acts against the Palestinian
people and the inhumane siege of Gaza, as well as Tel Aviv's flagrant violations
of international law.

"We reiterate that there is no hope in a just and comprehensive peace without an
end to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian and Arab territories, including
Jerusalem, Golan Heights and the occupied Lebanese territories," Sheikh Khalifa
said.
-- BERNAMA