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UK-UAE relations “extremely important”, says Andrew

ABU DHABI -- The relationship between Britain and the United Arab Emirates is “extremely important to the United Kingdom,” Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, said here on Thursday.

Speaking at a garden party held at the British Embassy in Abu Dhabi, Prince Andrew added that he was confident that the relationship was of equal importance to the UAE.

Noting the long-standing links between the Governments and peoples of both countries, as well as those between the ruling families, Prince Andrew, who is visiting the UAE to represent Britain’s Queen Elizabeth on the occasion of the UAE’s 40^th National Day, reaffirmed his country’s “commitment to the continuing relationship.”

Recalling how much the UAE had changed since the establishment of the federation in 1971 and, in particular, since he had paid his own first visit a decade ago, Prince Andrew praised the progress made by the country under its wise leadership. He also acknowledged the way in which, especially over the last year, the UAE had come to play an important role on the global stage. This, he said, was something that would not have been foreseen forty years ago.

For his part, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of the Higher Education and Scientific Research, welcomed Prince Andrew and briefed him about the prosperity being experienced by the UAE since its foundation by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

The garden party, hosted by British Ambassador Dominic Jermey, was attended by Sheikh Nahyan, senior officials, citizens, and British residents who have contributed in various ways over the last four decades to the continued development of the relationship between the two countries.

Sheikh Nahyan presented a book to Prince Andrew on the major UAE historic landmarks.

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