Korean leader hails UAE achievements

The President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, held talks with visiting President Lee Myung-bak of South Korea at Al Rawda Palace here on Wednesday.

General Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Shaikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in the Western Region, were also present.

Shaikh Khalifa welcomed the Korean president, noting the distinguished bilateral relations between the two countries in the past.

During the meeting, he also stressed the desire of the UAE to expand its cooperation with the Korean side, especially in the economic and technological fields.

The President said that relations between the UAE and Korea were based on mutual understanding and always sought further development, through the implementation of bilateral agreements and through the carrying out of strategic development projects, as well as through increasing the volume of bilateral investment.

On his part, the Korean president praised the great achievements of the UAE under the wise leadership of President Shaikh Khalifa, which, he said, had enabled the country to enjoy a prestigious position at both regional and international levels.

He also expressed his happiness at visiting the UAE and at meeting Shaikh, noting that his visit came in the context of the desire of the leadership and governments of both countries to develop cooperation in various fields.

During their talks, the two leaders discussed bilateral relations, existing cooperation and ways of strengthening it and the latest international developments.

The Korean president conferred on Shaikh Khalifa the Grand Order of Mugunghwa, the highest decoration awarded by the Korean government to presidents and heads of state.

He also conferred on Gen. Shaikh Mohammed the Gunghwa Order, presented to crown princes and heads of governments.

Shaikh Khalifa and Gen. Shaikh Mohammed both thanked President Lee for the honours conferred upon them, expressing their hope that there would be further development in relations between the two countries in various fields.

The meeting was attended by Shaikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Ruler‘s Representative in the Eastern Region; Shaikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Adviser; Lt.General Shaikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior; Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs; and Shaikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister; in addition to a number of other shaikhs, ministers and senior officials.

Also present were the UAE Ambassador to Korea, and the 
South Korean Ambassador to 
the UAE along with the delegation accompanying the Korean president.