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Queen Elizabeth attends UAE-UK Partnership Ceremony |
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Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II attended the UAE-UK Partnership Ceremony hosted by the British Embassy in the UAE at the Emirates Palace. UAE Foreign Minister HH Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the British Foreign Secretary William Hague signed at the ceremony the "Abu Dhabi Declaration 2010" reaffirming the UAE-UK Friendship treaty signed in 1971 that asserted that the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom will, in times of need, will consult each other on matters of mutual interest, will promote educational, scientific and cultural cooperation and will recognise close and outstanding trade relations. In an address made by him at the ceremony, Sheikh Abdullah welcomed HM the Queen and the delegation accompanying her. Fully endorsing the comments of British Foreign Secretary about the strength and vitality of the partnership between UAE and UK, Sheikh Abdullah said: "I am delighted to see gathered here today so many British people who live and work in the UAE and who make such an extraordinary contribution to our society". Addressing the Queen Sheikh Abdullah continued: "Your Majesty, many aspects of the UAE have no doubt changed greatly since you were last here, in 1979". Nevertheless I feel certain that you will encounter the same warm welcome, the same spirit of enterprise and innovation, and the same openness to visitors from all over the world. And I am equally sure that you will witness the same unique relationship that the UAE has always had with the British government and people", he added. "My late father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founder and former President of the UAE, signed the Treaty of Friendship with Britain in December 1971", he recalled. Since that time, British people have been working closely with the UAE and its citizens to harness the potential of our natural resources and to contribute to the development of our country, laying the foundations for its economic success, he stressed. And this is by no means a one way relationship. The UAE has been making a growing contribution to economic and social life in Britain; Sheikh Abdullah added. He continued: "Your Majesty, we continue to build on these strong foundations and I am confident that the partnership between our countries will scale even greater heights. Whether in trade or energy, in defence or security, in culture, education or sport, in humanitarian work or promoting peace between nations, the potential is enormous". "And it is because of this potential and the special bond between our people that I too am proud to sign in Your presence the 2010 Abu Dhabi Declaration, reaffirming the 1971 Treaty of Friendship and further cementing the partnership between the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom"; Sheikh Abdullah emphasised. |
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