Special day should inspire nation to ever greater heights

Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs: We are ushering in the fifth decade of the union of our country. We are even more determined to enhance the UAE's reputation, protecting its federal entity, consolidating its values and deepening its spirit as we move forward towards a new phase that is inspired by the legacy of our forefathers, which is based on the people and an approach of empowerment to reach sustainable development and enhance the country's pioneering role.

For the past 40 years, the union has accomplished many economic, political, social and cultural achievements that have set the foundations for a bright and prosperous future, also leading to the UAE occupying a prominent regional and global position.

Such a position was achieved thanks to the nation's foreign policies that are based on values of fairness, cooperation, mutual respect, and not interfering in the affairs of other countries except with good, humanitarian and developmental intentions.

We wish [President His Highness] Shaikh Khalifa [Bin Zayed Al Nahyan] good health and success in leading the UAE's march towards more stability and a dignified life for its citizens.

Lieutenant-General Shaikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior: The second of December will always be a day like no other. For it was on this day that the Union was born. This day remains a reminder for our work towards continued development and progress; a challenge in which we have to achieve the dreams of the founding fathers, whose spirit remains with us with the development that we see around us and their tireless efforts.

The second of December is a day for more achievements, growth and development as per the march led by President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan that follows in the footsteps of our founding fathers.

I would like to seize this opportunity to congratulate the UAE President, and His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and Their Highnesses Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the UAE, who have followed in the footsteps of our founding fathers by keeping the UAE a proud and unified country that stands tall with its honourable people, and civilisational and humanitarian achievements.