Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Concludes Visit to Washington, DC; Reaffirms Important UAE-US Relationship With Senior US Government Officials and Congressional Leaders
April 17, 2013
WASHINGTON, DC (17 April 2013) – His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Armed Forces today concluded his visit to Washington, DC by meeting with US Congressional leaders and senior government officials. During the meetings, the Crown Prince discussed the close relationship between the UAE and US, and explored ways to strengthen bilateral ties in order to promote stability in the Arabian Gulf and broader Middle East.
While on Capitol Hill, the Crown Prince met with Senator Bob Corker (TN), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. Later in the day, he was hosted by House Majority Leader Representative Eric Cantor (VA) at a meeting with House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Representative Ed Royce (CA), House Armed Services Committee Chairman Representative Howard “Buck” McKeon (CA), House Minority Whip Representative Steny Hoyer (MD), Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL), Representative Eliot Engel (NY), Representative Ted Deutch (FL) and Representative Adam Smith (WA).
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Noting the unprecedented events impacting the stability and security of the Middle East region, the Crown Prince and Congressional leaders agreed to further initiatives that will deepen the strong bilateral security and economic cooperation between the two nations. The leaders also discussed the rapidly growing trade relationship between the UAE and US, and the UAE’s open and innovative economy, which is fueling private sector growth and expanding economic opportunities for people across the region.
At a dinner event hosted by UAE Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba, the Crown Prince was joined by US Secretary of State John Kerry, US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, US Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, National Security Advisor Tom Donilon, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency John Brennan, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey, and US CENTCOM Commander General Lloyd Austin.
The leaders discussed a range of regional issues and reviewed ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in order to deter threats ofregional aggression.