Mohamed bin Zayed, President of Portugal hold talks

His Highness General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the U.A.E. Armed Forces, yesterday received at Al Mushrif, Dr. Anibal Cavaco Silva, President of the Republic of Portugal, who is paying an official visit to the U.A.E..
President Cavaco was accorded an official reception at Al Mushrif Palace. The Portuguese President and the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi headed to the podium of honour, where the national anthems of the two countries were played and 21 canon shots were fired in salute to the guest of the country. Then the Portuguese President shook hands with the U.A.E. officials, while Sheikh Mohamed greeted senior officials accompanying President Cavaco.
During the meeting, Sheikh Mohamed and President Cavaco discussed bilateral relations, focussing on political, economic, trade and cultural areas, and ways to strengthen them in the best interest of the two countries and peoples.
Welcoming the visit of the President of Portugal and the delegation accompanying him, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi expressed his satisfaction at the visit, which comes within the framework of friendship and cooperation between the two countries at a time when bilateral relations are growing.
"We are happy to meet you, Mr. President, in the U.A.E. to discuss the interest of our countries and push forward our bilateral relations to achieve more progress," Sheikh Mohamed said.
He added that the U.A.E., led by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, looks forward to strengthening cooperation ties with the Republic of Portugal.
On his part, President Cavaco expressed his satisfaction at visiting the U.A.E., hoping this visit would help boost further the cooperation ties between the two countries. He noted that Portugal is interested in boosting its relations with the U.A.E. in all fields, especially in economic and trade areas. He commended the urban development being experienced by the U.A.E..
The talks also covered trade exchange and joint venture projects, as well as ways to boost cultural, educational, tourism and renewable energy cooperation. They also tackled the latest regional and international developments. Sheikh Mohamed and President Cavaco exchanged views about the stance of both countries towards these issues.
At the conclusion of talks, both the sides underlined that "this visit is a new breakthrough for enhancing the U.A.E.-Portuguese relations in various fields." They expressed their satisfaction at the pace of growth of relations and the importance of exchanging visits, ideas and proposals to further develop the bilateral work.
Sheikh Mohamed hosted a banquet in the honour of the President of Portugal and the delegation accompanying him.
The event was attended by Mohammed Ahmed Al Murr, Speaker of the Federal National Council (FNC), H.H.Sheikh Surour bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, H.H. Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Advisor and Deputy Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, H.H. Sheikh Saeed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Ruler`s Representative, H.H. Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation, H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, H.H. Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chief of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince's Court, H.H. Sheikh Omar bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation, H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Advisor to the U.A.E. President, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Executive Council Member, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Transport Department and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority, a number of ministers and senior civil and military officials.