Finnish Prexy in Abu Dhabi

ABU DHABI --- His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, has received Sauli Niinisto, President of the Republic of Finland, at Al Mushrif Palace, to discuss developing bilateral relations between both countries and a number of matters of common interest.

Upon the arrival of the Finnish President, an official reception ceremony was held at the Palace Square as the band played the national anthems of the UAE and Finland. Following the playing of the anthems, a 21-gun salute was given in honour of the state guest.

Sheikh Mohamed accompanied the Finnish President to the main hall of the Palace where Sheikh Mohamed shook hands and greeted the senior officials accompanying the Finnish President. President Niinisto shook hands with Sheikhs, Ministers and senior officials of the UAE.

Welcoming the Finnish president and members of his delegation, Sheikh Mohamed expressed his wishes that the next stage would see further progress and development in the friendly relations and cooperation between the two countries and their peoples.

H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in the Western Region; H.H. Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Advisor and Deputy Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council; H.H. Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior; and H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, attended the talks between the two sides.

During their talks, the two parties explored the existing cooperation between the two countries in various sectors including economy, education and investment. They also explored ways of promoting and enhancing this cooperation to serve the mutual interests of the two countries.

H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed said, "The UAE, under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, builds its political, economic, social and developmental relations with peace-loving states and peoples on the foundations of the existing solidarity and friendship and the principles of tolerance, cooperation and openness to others in service of the common interests and for the good of humanity."

He noted that the UAE recognises the fact that enhancing cooperation relations between states makes a better future for all peoples of the world.

H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed also expressed the UAE's keen interest in having the best relations with Finland and in strengthening cooperation with it through forging new partnerships in the domains of education, knowledge, innovation, health, as well as the exchange of relevant expertise and experiments.

For his part, the Finnish president expressed his delight at visiting the UAE to discuss ways of bolstering the existing friendship with the UAE and promoting their cooperation in all areas with a focus on healthcare, economy and education.

He also commended the developmental and civilisational progress of the UAE.

President Niinisto also expressed his country's desire to "set up more successful projects and partnerships and to look for investment opportunities that would contribute to the progress and prosperity of the two countries in all spheres."

The two sides also discussed the overall development in the region and around the world, with a focus on the development in Yemen, extremism and terrorism, and exchanged views on these issues.

The Finnish president also briefed H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed on the developments in Ukraine.

The UAE officials who attended the talks included Hussain bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi, Minister of Education and the head of the honourary mission accompanying the visiting Finnish president; Dr. Anwar bin Mohammed Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs; Obaid bin Humaid Al Tayer, Minister of State for Financial Affairs; Ahmed Juma Al Za'abi, Deputy Minister for Presidential Affairs; Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Affairs Authority (EAA); and Lt. General Juma Al Bawardi, Military Advisor to Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

The Finnish officials who attended the talks included Ilkka-Pekka Simila, Ambassador to the UAE; Lt. General Arto Raty, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Of Defence; Teemu Tanner, Secretary-General of the office of the President; Jarno Syrjala, Director-General of the Department for Africa and the Middle East at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs; and Jyri Hakamies, Di­rec­tor-Ge­ne­ral of the Confederation of Finnish Industries. –end-