More flights will boost relationship

Berlin: His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on Wednesday expressed his appreciation for Germany saying that adding a new route between Dubai and Berlin will bolster our relations.

He yesterday arrived here on a two-day visit to Germany where he will hold talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

"This is not my first visit to Germany, as I used to visit it when I was a student at Cambridge University in London," Shaikh Mohammad told a civic gathering hosted by Berlin Mayor Klaus Wowereit.

"I have a special appreciation for Germany and we look with great interest to our mutual ties," Shaikh Mohammad said.

Shaikh Mohammad visited the Unified Municipality of Berlin, where he was received by Mayor Wowereit.

"Our visit to Germany is aimed at strengthening bilateral ties, which we hope will be in the interest of our two countries and their peoples," Shaikh Mohammad said in a brief speech after he signed the golden register at the municipality.

The Mayor of Berlin welcomed Shaikh Mohammad and praised the prosperity in Dubai, adding that there were attempts to have the German government allow Emirates airlines to add a service to Berlin, which will enhance the tourism movement between the cities.

With regards to the new route to Berlin, Shaikh Mohammad said: "Adding a new route between Dubai and Berlin will bolster our relations, and while we believe in the policy of open skies, we respect the Germans and their right to consider their interests the way they see them."

Shaikh Mohammad and German officials will discuss political, economic and cultural issues, Mohammad Ahmad Al Mahmoud, UAE Ambassador to Germany, said on Tuesday.

This visit comes as a result of the distinguished relations between the UAE and Germany, especially the partnership agreement signed between the two countries in 2004.

"We will reap the fruits of this visit soon, and we, in the UAE, have a special appreciation of the relations between our country and Germany, due to its stands and non-colonial history," Al Mahmoud said.

"There has been a strategic partnership between the UAE and Germany since the visit of former German chancellor Gerhard Schroeder in 2003, and the signing of the strategic partnership agreement in 2004."

"Germans give a special attention to Shaikh Mohammad's visit, which will see the signing of several agreements," the ambassador said.

He expressed hope that the visit would create a balance in the trade between the UAE and Germany, and that Germany would have the policy of open skies to allow national carriers such as Emirates and Etihad Airways to launch new services to Berlin.