(MENAFN - Khaleej Times) General Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, on Tuesday stated that the UAE valued Turkey's support for Arab issues.
"We value Turkey's support for Arab issues and we resolve on further enhancing ties with the Republic of Turkey with high hope that our mutual efforts will bolster security and stability as well as development in countries of the region," Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed said during a meeting with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Shaikh Mohammed and his Turkish host exchanged views on the latest developments in the region with an eye on current events in Syria and issues of mutual concern.
Shaikh Mohammed said: "The UAE-Turkey relations were built on solid foundations of mutual interests and respect, underlining the sincere desire of the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to deepening these bonds and pushing them forward for maintaining security and stability in the region."
Earlier on the day, Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed held discussions with Turkish President Abdullah Gul on ways to strengthen bilateral relations between the UAE and Turkey. They reviewed the excellent friendly ties between the two countries and their peoples in the light of the diligence of both sides to bolster relations in various avenues. A number of regional and international developments and topics of common concern also came up for discussion.
Gul welcomed Shaikh Mohammed and the accompanying delegation at the Presidential Palace in Ankara and stressed that the visit embodies the mutual keenness of the leadership of both countries to bolster and expand the bilateral ties between them to serve the interests of both the people. Shaikh Mohammed, leading a delegation, is touring Turkey at an invitation from the Turkish President.
Shaikh Mohammed conveyed to Gul, the greetings of the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, as well as his good wishes for the welfare of the people of Turkey.
The meeting was attended by Shaikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Dr Anwar Mohammed Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs; Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority; Nasser Ahmad Al Suwaidi, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development; Mohammed Mubarak Al Mazroui, Undersecretary of the Court of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi; and Khalid Khalifa Al Mualla, UAE Ambassador to Turkey.
