Dr. Amal Abdullah Al Qubaisi, Speaker of Federal National Council (FNC) has discussed at the FNC headquarters - Abu Dhabi, with Ambassadors of China and Azerbaijan, ways to strengthen cooperation, especially in the area of parliamentary cooperation with both countries.

Al Qubaisi met in two separate meetings with Ni Jian, Ambassador of China to the UAE and Dashqin Shikarov, Ambassador of Azerbaijan to the UAE. She discussed with the Chinese ambassador the importance of bolstering parliamentary ties between the FNC and the Chinese National People's Congress through activation of the mutual parliamentary visits and setting up the Parliamentary Friendship Committee, given its role in developing the existing relations.

The FNC Speaker commended the fruitful results of the visit paid by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, to China, which has culminated with the new era of the strategic partnerships and bilateral cooperation between the two friendly countries.

Dr. Al Qubaisi noted that China is a pivotal country within the system of international relations and economy. Meanwhile, the UAE is also an important economic, trade and cultural transit gate for the region, and plays an important role in the international relations system as well as an important centre on the Silk Road and trade exchange between China, the Arab world and Africa.

"Thus the relationship between China and the UAE is an equal strategic relationship and meets the interests of both parties," she said.

On the political front, Al Qubaisi continued, there is a common resolve to combat the terrorism and extremism and to uphold the principle of legality and respect for the internal sovereignty of States.

Both parties stressed the importance of bolstering the bilateral relations to reflect the interest of the leaders of both countries in service of best interest of the two friendly peoples.

The Chinese ambassador stressed the strength of relations between the two countries, welcoming the proposal of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi to set up a school to teach the Chinese language. "This reflects the distinguished relations between the two countries," he added. He appreciated the results of the visit of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed to China, which the ambassador said to have contributed effectively in strengthening the relations.

He praised the existing cooperation between the UAE and China, referring to the role of the Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Centre for Teaching Arabic Language and Islamic Studies at University of Foreign Studies in Beijing.

The Chinese ambassador stressed the importance of cultural and scientific relations with different UAE Universities.

He referred to great role of the UAE in combating terrorism and extremism, and provision of the humanitarian and development aid to different countries, as well as the country's efforts in tackling the refugee issue and other issues with humanitarian dimensions.

The Chinese envoy invited the FNC Speaker to visit the Chinese Parliament, with a view to reflect the distinguished relations between the UAE and China.

Dr. Al Qubaisi also discussed with the Azeri ambassador ways to strengthen cooperation and issues of common interest, as well as enhancing the parliamentary relations through the mutual visits. She also stressed the importance of setting up the Parliamentary Friendship Committee, given its role in coordination of positions at the parliamentary forums.

The two parties also discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations, especially in the areas of politics, economic, trade and investment as well as benefiting from huge potentials of both countries by setting up successful partnerships.

The Azeri ambassador presented extended an official invitation on behalf of the Azeri Speaker to the FNC Speaker to visit Azerbaijan. He referred to the depth of relations since the era of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

He noted that Azerbaijan will observe in October the 25th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between the UAE and Azerbaijan.