Mohammad Bin Zayed tribute to Khalifa

Abu Dhabi: General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces , has paid tribute to President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, saying that the President always believed that the citizens are the nation's true wealth.

In a statement made to mark re-election of Shaikh Khalifa as President of the UAE. Shaikh Mohammad said: "the future looks brighter as Their Highnesses the Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the Emirates renewed their confidence by re-electing His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan as President for the next five years."

"Their Highnesses the Rulers re-affirmed their support and their faith in the approach adopted by His highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan since he assumed the leadership following the death of the founder and father of the UAE the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan. His Highness Shaikh Khalifa continued the march for comprehensive development through his philosophy of empowerment," Shaikh Mohammad said.

Shaikh Mohammad said that His Highness the President attached great importance to the welfare of youth and to the development and progress of women as he enabled them to acquire knowledge, skills and expertise.

He also lauded the President for his keen efforts to modernize the armed forces and to provide its personnel with the latest in equipment and training to protect the achievements of the UAE.

Shaikh Mohammad said the President's vision for diversifying economy away from dependence on oil as a sole source of income had helped the country to weather the economic crisis with little or no impact. The country also witnessed launching of numerous initiatives in the fields of culture, science, healthcare and environment.

Shaikh Mohammad also praised Shaikh Khalifa's wise foreign policy which led to further strengthening UAE's ties with the countries of the world.

"We congratulate our people on the achievements made under the wise leadership of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and we renew our pledge to remain loyal to his leadership as he ushers our country from one glory to another."

Shaikh Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National security Advisor, said that all citizens of the UAE have pledged allegiance to His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan "who continues to lead us through the roads of success, progress and prosperity."

He praised the President's key role in achieving stability and security for the UAE.

Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister said that Shaikh Khalifa, through his wise foreign policies, sought to embed principles such as mutual respect, good neighborliness, non interference in others' internal affairs, establishing relations on the basis of mutual interests, cooperation, resolving disputes via peaceful means, compliance with Arab, Islamic and international conventions, standing by the right and justice, participation in international peace-keeping, support to the Palestinian cause and the legitimate rights of the Palestinians, including their right to establish their independent state with Jerusalem as its capital.

Lieutenant general Shaikh Talib Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Director general of the Ras Al Khaimah Police, said the re-election of Shaikh Khalifa was a recognition for the achievements made under his leadership in all walks of life.

Shaikha Lubna Al Qasimi, Minister of Foreign Trade, said the wise policies of Shaikh Khalifa enabled a strong coordination and cooperation among federal and local entities and led the country's GDP to soar from AED 357 billion in 2005 to AED 934 billion in 2008, with the country featuring among the top nations in terms of reforms, competitiveness, and knowledge-based economy.

Dr Hadef Bin Jowan, Justice Minister said Shaikh Khalifa sought to perpetuate independence of judiciary and strengthening judicial system by opening new court houses in Sharjah and Umm Al Qaiwain. He added that a new judiciary house will open in Ajman next Thursday.

Saqr Ghobash, Labour Minister described Shaikh Khalifa’s re-election as a "nationalistic decision that expressed appreciation of Their Highnesses the Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the Emirates for Shaikh Khalifa's historic leadership.