Merkel talks of 'real partnership'

Berlin: Germany yesterday sought coordinated efforts between the UAE and Germany to find just solutions to the causes of conflict and tension in many areas such as the Middle East, Afghanistan and other hotspots.

His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, yesterday evening held bilateral talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

The two leaders held official talks on bilateral relations and ways to boost them in all areas to reach real partnership level.

Germany is one of the major trading partners of the UAE with bilateral trade touching 5.86 billion Euros in 2006, according to government estimates. The trade balance is heavily tilted towards Germany which exported 5.4 billion euros worth of goods to the UAE.

They held a joint press conference during which they answered questions from local and international media representatives.

At the beginning of the press conference, the German Chancellor pointed out that her country was deeply interested in achieving real partnership with the UAE at the government and private sector levels.

She said although a partnership exists between the two countries, it is not up to strategic level, adding that there is cooperation between the two countries in the areas of infrastructure and logistics, particularly in the sectors of building of airports and roads.

"There is also the opportunity of wider cooperation in the areas of health, medicine, education, energy, transport and others," she said.

She cited her country's role in Afghanistan, as part of the efforts of the European Union and Nato to bring peace and stability in that war-ravaged country.

She expressed the hope that Emirates airline would soon open a new route to Berlin and hinted that the two countries would soon hold discussions on how to achieve that goal.