The Vatican: Dr Hessa Abdullah Ahmad Al Otaiba presented her credentials as an envoy par excellence and non-resident plenipotentiary to the Vatican.
Hessa, who is also the UAE's envoy to Spain, presented her papers to Pope Benedict XVI.
This is the first time in history that the Vatican has received a woman as an envoy and representative of her country.
The Pope welcomed the appointment of Hessa and expressed his satisfaction with regard to the diplomatic exchange.
Hessa's appointment is an indication of the vision of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and the spirit of religious tolerance, which distinguishes the social structure of the UAE.
The Pope also expressed his pleasure and satisfaction regarding the treatment received by Christians in the UAE and their freedom of practising their faith inside the country.
He also wished the UAE envoy success in enhancing cooperation between the UAE and the Vatican.
Hessa also expressed her keenness on augmenting the bilateral relations between the two countries in line with Shaikh Khalifa's directives of respecting religions and the tolerance practised in UAE society.
