US President Joe Biden will welcome UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to Washington next week in a “historic” first visit…reports Asian Lite News
President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan will start an official visit to the United States of America on Monday, the first since assuming the Presidency of the UAE.
His Highness Sheikh Mohamed will discuss with President Joe Biden the historical ties that link the UAE and the USA, which date back more than 50 years.
The two leaders will explore opportunities to further enhance bilateral cooperation and boost the UAE-US strategic partnership, particularly in the areas of the economy, investment, technology, artificial intelligence, space, renewable energy, climate action, sustainability solutions and other aspects that advance both nations’ vision for a more prosperous future for all.
During the visit, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed will meet with a number of US officials to discuss ways to develop UAE-US relations at all levels, and will exchange views with the US President on various regional and international issues of mutual interest.
White House spokesperson John Kirby said the visit would be “historic” and the first-ever by a president of the Gulf Arab country to Washington, adding that Vice President Kamala Harris would meet separately with the UAE leader.
Kirby said other topics to be discussed will include climate, clean energy, and the UAE’s role as a partner in global infrastructure partnerships.
The crisis in Sudan and the nearly year-old war in Gaza, especially the UAE’s “essential role” in addressing the humanitarian situation there would also be on the agenda, Kirby said.
Yousef Al Otaiba, Minister of State and UAE ambassador to the US, said the visit marked “an important milestone” in the relationship between the two countries.
“Together, the UAE and US are a critical force for positive change and an engine for regional stability, prosperity and integration,” Mr Al Otaiba said on X.
Earlier this week, the UAE had voiced its strong condemnation of the attempted assassination of former US President Donald Trump.
In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressed the UAE’s sympathy with presidential candidate Trump and his family, as well as with the government and people of the United States.
Furthermore, the Ministry has reaffirmed that the UAE expresses its categorical condemnation of such criminal and extremist acts, and its permanent rejection of all forms of violence.
Earlier this month, the UAE and the US held the fourth session of their Joint Consular Committee in Washington, to enhance and bolster cooperation in all joint consular fields, aiming to provide outstanding consular support and services to the citizens of the two countries.
The meeting was chaired by Khalid Abdulla Belhoul, Under-Secretary of the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Hugo Rodriguez, Acting Assistant Secretary at the Bureau of Consular Affairs in the U.S. Department of State.
Khalid Belhoul stressed the UAE’s commitment to and interest in strengthening and further developing the relations between the two countries, reflecting the wise leadership’s aspirations and directives.
During the meeting, Khalid Abdulla Belhoul, Under-Secretary of the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, praised the historic relations that linked the UAE and the USA since 1972 and the distinguished and strategic solid ties built upon mutual understanding and respect. He also expressed the UAE’s appreciation of the efforts made by the US side to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries, which witnessed remarkable progress in all fields in recent years.
Khalid Abdulla Belhoul reiterated that the UAE and the USA succeeded in establishing an advanced and sustainable model for their strategic relations, which resulted in many qualitative achievements in several sectors. The achievements made within the framework of bilateral relations between the two countries encourage them to move forward towards greater achievements, aimed at attaining common development goals and reach mechanisms and solutions for a future rich in cooperation and partnerships in the consular field.
During the meeting, the two sides discussed a number of common consular issues related to citizens affairs, and proposed several initiatives aimed at streamlining services to meet the expectations and aspirations of their citizens, while fulfilling the strategic plans of both countries in the consular field.
Representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security, as well as counterparts from the competent authorities in the USA, took part in the meeting.
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