Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Jose Eduardo dos Santos, President of Angola, on Sunday held talks on bilateral relations between their two countries, matters of common concern and regional developments.

The talks followed an official welcome ceremony held at Al Mushrif Palace for the Angolan president and members of his delegation during his official visit to the UAE.

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and President Santos stood on the podium of honour while the national anthems of the UAE and Angola were played and the artillery fired a 21-gun salute to the country's guest.

Accompanied by H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed to the Hall of Honour, President Santos shook hands with Sheikhs, ministers, and senior civilian and military officials.

H.H. Sheikh Mohamed shook hands with the Angolan minister and senior officials accompanying the Angolan president to the UAE.

Welcoming the Angolan president and his delegation, His Highness the Crown Prince expressed his delight at the visit and expressed hope that it would contribute towards enhancing friendship and cooperation relations between the UAE and Angola and open new doors for these relations to serve the interests of both countries.

The meeting also touched on a number of matters in various spheres, with a focus on economic, developmental and social matters, as well as ways of enhancing and promoting avenues of cooperation to meet the aspirations of the leaders and peoples of the two countries.

H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed emphasised that the UAE under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan is keen on having good relations with African countries. He commended the outstanding relations between the UAE and Angola and the efforts the two countries are making to enhance and promote these relations through the establishment of economic partnerships that serve their mutual interests.

The Angolan president briefed H.H. Sheikh Mohamed on his government's efforts to boost development in the fields of education, healthcare, vital facilities, infrastructure and fighting terrorism.

He wished for success for the Angolan president's efforts to promote development and protect security of his country.

During the meeting, the two sides looked into areas of potential cooperation to promote and support developmental sectors through projects and programmes that serve bilateral interests.

President Santos expressed his delight at visiting the UAE. He expressed admiration for the progress achieved by the UAE in all spheres and the country's wise policy that has earned it a notable regional and international position.

The Angolan president also expressed his country's desire to further and promote bilateral cooperation with the UAE in all economic and investment spheres and to benefit from the UAE's advanced capabilities to develop Angola's vitals sectors.

He noted that in Angola there are promising investment opportunities in all sectors.

The meeting also touched on the overall regional and international developments and events. The two sides exchanged views on matters of mutual concern.

Later, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed hosted a luncheon in honour of the Angolan president and members of his delegation.

Present at the meeting were H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in the Western Region; Mohammed Ahmed Al Murr, Speaker of Federal National Council (FNC); H.H. Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior; H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs; H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister; Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development; and ministers and senior civilian and military officials.

The Angolan officials who attended the meeting included Edeltrudes Gaspar da Costa, Minister in the Office of the Presidency, Civil Affairs; Georges Rebelo Chikoti, Minister of External Relations; Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco, Minister of Defence; Armando Manuel, Minister of Finance; Aldemiro Justino da Conceicao, Presidential Aide; Maria Angela Braganca, Secretary of State for Cooperation; Carlos Alberto Fonseca, Secretary for Diplomatic Affairs of the President; Andre Luis Brandao, Minister of Public Contracts at the Office of the President; and Manuel Antonio Rabelais, Secretary for Institutional Communication and Press of the President.
Source: WAM