UAE and South Korea to boost relations

General Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander the UAE Armed Forces, has discussed with the President of South Korea, Park Geun-hye, the ties of friendship and cooperation between the UAE and South Korea and ways to develop them in the light of joint strategic interests.

The discussions took place when the President received General Shaikh Mohammed at the Presidential Palace, the ‘Blue House’, in Seoul.

The Korean President expressed her pleasure at meeting the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, welcoming his visit and that of the delegation accompanying him, adding that she also welcomed the talks with General Shaikh Mohammed on strengthening bilateral ties so as to record more growth and development in all fields.

She said in a welcoming speech before the talks that, “I’m very pleased you are in South Korea. I also thank you for your congratulations, conveyed by Shaikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Foreign Minister, during my inauguration as president of South Korea last year. Again, I am happy to see you personally.”

The Korean President expressed her happiness about the stability of the state of health of theb President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, wishing him a speedy recovery. She said that the UAE and South Korea had established diplomatic ties for the first time in 1975 with the construction of a bridge in Abu Dhabi by a South Korean company, adding that since then the relations between the two countries have been growing steadily. She cited the winning of the bid by South Korea firms for the construction of the peaceful nuclear energy plants in Abu Dhabi.

The South Korean President said, “The partnership relations between us has become one of fraternal ties, thanks to your support and sponsorship. I consider the UAE an important partner. I will give much attention to support joint projects, among others peaceful nuclear projects.”

She concluded that the visit of General Shaikh Mohammed would further strengthen joint prosperity between the two countries in the period ahead.

For his part, General Shaikh Mohammed conveyed the regards of the UAE President to the South Korean President, expressing wishes more progress and prosperity for the people of Korea.

General Shaikh Mohammed expressed his pleasure of meeting the President and thanked her for inviting him to visit South Korea. He cited the hospitality accorded to him and the UAE delegation. General Shaikh Mohammed said the visit provided an opportunity to assess closely the progress being made by the country.

The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi said that the UAE is keen on strengthening its relations with South Korea in all fields, hoping that the visit would open new horizons for cooperation between the two countries and peoples. He added that the meeting today “is an opportunity for dialogue and exchange of views to reinforce the bilateral relations, which await more work and effort from us amid the development and economic growth being witnessed by both countries.”

He invited the President of South Korea to visit the UAE. She accepted the invitation, with a date to be set later.

The talks were attended by Shaikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chief of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s Court, and Shaikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Foreign Minister. The two sides discussed the existing cooperation ties between the two countries and ways to strengthen them in the best interest of the two countries and people.

Both sides reviewed the strategic partnership in all fields and importance to strengthen cooperation and joint work in the economic, investment, education, energy, medicine, health, infrastructure and administrative and technical training programmes. They also exchanged views on on the latest regional and international events and issues of mutual interest.

The two expressed at the conclusion of their talks their satisfaction about the advanced level of relations between the countries, adding that they were looking forward to enhancing the ties and bilateral work in a way that reflects the interest of leaders in both countries to expand the strategic partnerships.

Among others present were Suhail Mohammed Faraj Faris Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy; Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of of the Executive Affairs Authority; Nasser Ahmed Al Suwaidi, Chairman of the Department of Economic Development in Abu Dhabi; Shaikh Sultan bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, Counsellor at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Director of the Department of East Asia Affairs; Mohammed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, Under Secretary of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi’s Court; Abdullah Nasser Al Suwaidi, General Manager of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, and UAE Ambassador to South Korea Abdullah Khalfan Mattar Al Rumaithi.

Meanwhile on the side of South Korea, the meeting was attended the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Economy, the Minister of Trade, the Minister of Defence and a number of other Korean officials.

The President of South Korea later hosted a dinner banquet in honour of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and his delegation accompanying him at the Presidential Palace.