Abu Dhabi: General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, received yesterday (Wednesday), Dr Aníbal Cavaco Silva, President of Portugal, who is on an official visit to the country, at Mushrif palace.
Shaikh Mohammad and Dr Silva held discussions on bilateral relations in the political, economic, trade and cultural fields and ways of developing them to serve the common interests of the two countries and peoples.
Shaikh Mohammad said, “We are delighted today to meet you, Mr President, in the UAE to discuss together our relations for the benefit of our two countries and to push forward our bilateral relationship to further development and progress.”
He also asserted during the meeting that the United Arab Emirates under the leadership of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is keen to extend bridges of cooperation with the Portugal.
Dr Silva expressed his happiness at visiting the UAE and hoped that this visit will further enhance the development process between the two countries.
He added that Portugal is interested in enhancing its relationship with the UAE, especially in the fields of trade and economy. He also praised the level of development and prosperity in the UAE.
During the meeting, economic and trade relations and the exchange of opportunities for establishing joint ventures and further strengthening of cooperation in the cultural, educational and tourism fields and renewable energy were discussed.
At the end of the talks, the two sides stressed that this visit is a breakthrough, enhancing UAE-Portugal relations in various fields, and they expressed their satisfaction over the growing relations between the two countries and the importance of the continuation of visits and exchange of ideas and proposals regarding the development of bilateral relations.
Shaikh Mohammad also hosted a lunch banquet for Dr Silva and his delegation.
The meeting and banquet was attended by Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, Mohammad Ahmad Al Murr, Chairman of the Federal National Council, Shaikh Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Adviser and Vice-President of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, Shaikh Nahyan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation, Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, other shaikhs and senior officials.