Abdullah bin Zayed meets Italian foreign affairs minister

Rome: H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Foreign Minister, yesterday met Federica Mogherini, Italy's Minister of Foreign Affairs, at the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Rome. During the meeting, the two sides discussed the economic, investment, trade and energy relations between UAE and Italy, as well as the general regional and international developments. They also exchanged views on a number of matters of common interest to UAE and Italy. In his remarks at a joint press conference with the Italian minister, H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed stressed the importance of opening wider venues for cooperation and consultations on the variety of matters of common interest to the two countries in light of the support extended by their leaders to the promotion and enhancement of their relations. He expressed his delight at the level of the strong U.A.E-Italian relationship which was established in 1971. He also expressed his confidence that his fruitful meetings in Italy will contribute to this good relationship. "Italy is one of the European strategic allies of UAE Today, some 300 Italian companies are operating in UAE 56 weekly flights are being operated between the two countries by national carries from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Rome, Milan and Venice," said H.H. Sheikh Abdullah. Affirming that UAE seeks to boost and strengthen its ties with Italy in various spheres such as education, culture, security and economy, H.H. Sheikh Abdullah noted that UAE also looks forward to cooperation between Milan Expo 2015 and Dubai Expo 2020 and to the meeting of UAE-Italy Joint Economic Commission in Rome in June. On her part, the Italian minister of foreign affairs expressed her hopes that the current visit will contribute to the continuous enhancement of bilateral relations between the two countries and their peoples. She commended the important role UAE plays internationally in economic, trade, investment, humanitarian and energy spheres. Minister Mogherini also expressed admiration of the progress and prosperity UAE has achieved in all spheres. Ambassador of UAE to Italy, Abdul Aziz bin Nasser Al Shamsi, attended the meeting. – Emirates News Agency, WAM