Abdullah holds discussions with top Australian leaders

Sydney : Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Foreign Minister, held a series of meetings with senior Australian officials during his six-day visit.

Shaikh Abdullah and Stephen Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Australia, held a meeting in Canberra on Wednesday.

Smith also accompanied Shaikh Abdullah during other meetings, which were focused on exploring ways to further promote relations between the two countries.

Shaikh Abdullah also met with Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Acting Chief of the Defence Force Lieutenant-General David Hurley.

Shaikh Abdullah is also meeting with Governor-General of Australia Quentin Bryce, in Sydney, according to a joint statement.

The Foreign Minister also met Governor of New South Wales Professor Marie Bashir.

Bashir hailed the UAE-Australia relations which she said would be further boosted by joint projects. She hailed the development achieved by the UAE.

Shaikh Abdullah and Bashir discussed strengthening industrial, economic and trade relations in view of the current financial and economic developments.

Shaikh Abdullah also met with Premier of New South Wales Kristina Keneally.

Shaikh Abdullah said the development that the UAE enjoys is being undertaken upon directives of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

He invited Australian companies and businesses to tap the huge investment opportunities provided by the competitive investment climate of the UAE. He expressed the UAE's keen interest in stronger relations with Australia.

Strategic importance

At their meeting, Smith and Shaikh Abdullah agreed that the bilateral relationship is dynamic and of notable strategic importance to both countries. It is based on extensive trade and investment relations, expanding high-level contacts and warm people-to-people links.

The UAE and Australia also share strategic interests in the security and development of the Gulf region.

The ministers agreed that there are significant opportunities to broaden and deepen the relationship.

Smith thanked Shaikh Abdullah for the critical support and assistance that the UAE provides in hosting Australian Defence Force units.

These units, including the Australian National Headquarters for the Middle East, contribute towards international campaigns against terrorism, in countering piracy in the Gulf of Aden, and providing maritime security in the region.

Both ministers commended the growing people-to-people links between the two countries, which they agreed helps enhance understanding and goodwill between Australians and Emiratis.

Smith was pleased that about 15,000 Australians, including many talented professionals, are contributing to the UAE's ambitious development agenda through their expertise in the health, education, fin-ancial, legal, design and construction sectors. Over 1,700 UAE students study in Australia.

Ex-envoy honoured

President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan has conferred the Independence Order First Class on former Australian Ambassador to the UAE Noel Donald Campbell in appreciation of his efforts to boost cooperation between the UAE and Australia during his tenure in the country.

Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Foreign Minister, decorated the Australian ambassador at the headquarters of the government of New South Wales in Sydney in the presence of Professor Marie Bashir, governor of New South Wales, in Australia and Stephen Smith, Australian Foreign Minister. Shaikh Abdullah wished success to the Australian official in future tasks.

On his part, Campbell thanked the UAE President for conferring on him the order, wishing all the best to the UAE. He hailed the depth of historic ties between the two countries.