Tuesday, Jul 03, 2012
Abu Dhabi: The UAE is looking forward to enhancing its relations of cooperation with Egypt, UAE Foreign Minister Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. said.
“We are very keen to bolster the brotherly deep-rooted relations with Egypt,” Shaikh Abdullah said.
The UAE reassurance of its support to Egypt and its new leadership came four days after President Mohammad Mursi, delivered his inaugural speech in which he reiterated Egypt’s non-interference in other countries’ business and that Egypt is a civil, national and constitutional state that will not export the revolution.
Shaikh Abdullah said he is optimistic that the tenure of President Mursi would see remarkable developments on bilateral relations between both sisterly countries and people.
He added that UAE-Egypt relations are based on strong grounds and there is a real desire by both leaderships to develop them in the best interests of both nations and people.
Shaikh Abdullah praised Mursi’s speech at Cairo University in which Mursi stressed Egypt’s unchanged foreign policy and clear commitment to the Arab national security and activating joint Arab action.
In July last year, President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, ordered the allocation of $3 billion aid package to support the Egyptian transition to democracy following the January 25 Revolution.
Shaikh Abdullah said Egypt’s strong, balanced and effective role would reflect positively on the Arab world to become more influential on the global arena.
He praised Mursi’s stand which reflects Egypt’s commitment to non-interference in others’ affairs and not to export revolution to others.
He said Mursi’s approach demonstrates that he is a statesman capable of driving Egypt to play its vital role at this critical time in the history of the Arab world and challenges facing it in order to enhance the role of the Arab nation.
Shaikh Abdullah said he looks forward to strong cooperation with the anticipated Egyptian government in order to enhance bilateral relations. He expressed his hope that Egypt would see further progress and development at all levels.
The UAE is among the biggest investors in Egypt, having bankrolled infrastructure projects and entire towns. The UAE, home to 300,000 Egyptians, has pledged $3 billion (Dh11 billion) in aid and investments to the country.
Trade volume between the UAE and Egypt tripled to $1.4 billion (Dh5.1 billion) in 2008, accounting for 10.6 per cent of Egypt’s total foreign inward investment.
— With inputs from WAM
By Duraid Al Baik UAE Editor
Gulf News 2012. All rights reserved.
