Sheikh Khalifa 1948-2022: Forging bonds of friendship for UAE

Khalifa was committed to ensuring the UAE had pride of place in the community of nations

Last updated: May 14, 2022 | 10:46

2 MIN READ

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Royal visit: Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan with Britain’s Queen Elizabeth at Windsor Castle on April 30, 2013.

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Old allies: Shaikh Khalifa receives British Prime Minister David Cameron at Rawda Palace in June 2010. This was Cameron’s first overseas visit since his appointment as prime minister.

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Strong ties: Shaikh Khalifa welcomes Russian President Vladimir Putin during the latter’s visit to Abu Dhabi in September 2013.

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Warm welcome: Shaikh Khalifa greets Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif during a private visit to the country in December 2013.

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Looking east: Shaikh Khalifa holds talks with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak at Mushrif Palace In Abu Dhabi in March 2011.

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New frontiers: Shaikh Khalifa with Nursultan Nazarbayev, President of Kazakhstan, after his arrival in Astana on a three-day state visit to Kazakhstan in July 2008.

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Reaching out: Shaikh Khalifa receives German Chancellor Angela Merkel at Mushrif Palace in Abu Dhabi in May 2010. The UAE President conferred the Zayed Order on Merkel.

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New frontiers: Shaikh Khalifa with Jacob Zuma, President of South Africa, after receiving him at Mushrif Palace in Abu Dhabi, in November 2011.

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Right note: Shaikh Khalifa with US President George W. Bush in Abu Dhabi in January 2008. Bush arrived in the UAE on a two-day state visit as part of a tour of the Middle East.

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French connection: Shaikh Khalifa receives French President Nicolas Sarkozy in Abu Dhabi in January 2008.

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State honour: Shaikh Khalifa presents Queen Beatrix of The Netherlands with the Order of Zayed, the UAE’s highest civil decoration accorded to heads of state, in January 2012.

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UN talks: Shaikh Khalifa holding talks with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in Riyadh in March 2007.

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Exploring ties: Shaikh Khalifa holding talks with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao at Al Mushrif Palace in January 2012. Jiabao was in the UAE for the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi.

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Instant rapport: Shaikh Khalifa receives Indian President Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam in Abu Dhabi in October 2003. The Indian president arrived in the UAE on a three-day visit.

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