Abu Dhabi: Germany supports the UAE’s efforts at confronting those who fund extremists, according to German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel.
The Germany minister made the statements Tuesday during a news conference held with Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, affirming that the UAE is Germany’s closest and most important partner.
The German minister is on a state visit to the UAE during which he is discussing ways of advancing the privileged and strategic relations binding the two countries which date back to more than four decades.
Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan underscored the importance of the long-standing relations between Germany and the UAE which, he said, are based on mutual respect and common interests and serve as a model to be copied for developing relations between world countries. The meeting between the two ministers occasioned a review of an array of topics of common interests, including the situations in Libya, Syria and Iraq. Following the meeting the two ministers held a news conference where they briefed the audience on the outcome of their meetings.
“We are delighted to see the relations with Germany growing to advanced levels and to see non-oil bilateral trade amounting to more than $16 billion, with more than 3600 German companies operating in the UAE, playing a significant role in helping the UAE develop,” said Shaikh Abdullah.
“On the personal level I’m very delighted to see many Germans consider the UAE as their second home; there are more than 14 thousand Germans we hope to provide with all means of comfort and decent work in our country.”
The foreign minister added that there are 87,000 Emiratis visiting Germany on an annual basis besides 112 direct flights between the two countries as well as more than 650,000 German tourists visiting the UAE, which are all figures that, he said, confirm in no uncertain way the robust relations between the two countries and the mutual affection, admiration and love between the two peoples.
