Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan Meets with US President Barack Obama

WASHINGTON, 20th April 2015 - His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, met with US President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden at the White House today to discuss a range of bilateral and regional issues.

Sheikh Mohamed conveyed to President Obama greetings of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and his wishes of further progress and prosperity to the people of the United States. President Obama asked Sheikh Mohamed to pass on his greetings to UAE President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan stated that the UAE, under President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, places great importance on bolstering up bilateral cooperation with the US in all fields.

H.H. Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy National Security Adviser, and H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Yousef Al Otaiba, UAE Ambassador to the US, also attended the meeting, which reinforced the strong bilateral relationship between the UAE and the US.

The meeting further discussed the framework agreement on Iran's nuclear program signed recently between the P5+1 and Iran and the need for the final deal to be binding for Iran and to take into account the international concerns regarding nuclear proliferation and the threat to peace, security and stability in the region and the world.

The Crown Prince and President expressed a shared commitment to the importance of the Gulf Cooperation Council-US alliance as a key pillar of regional stability and security. The two leaders agreed on the need to enhance security cooperation between the GCC and US to challenge aggression and extremism throughout the region, a key focus of next month's Camp David meeting.

The Crown Prince thanked the President for his personal commitment and Secretary of State John Kerry's untiring efforts in the P5+1 talks with Iran. His Highness stressed the importance of preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons in the Arabian Gulf and the UAE's vital interest in the strongest possible verification measures in any final agreement.

The meeting also touched on the latest developments in the Arab region and ways to achieve security and stability in Yemen, Syria and Libya, preserve their national and territorial unity and put an end to the bloodshed and loss of innocent lives.

The meeting highlighted the importance of implementing UN resolutions and the GCC initiative regarding Yemen for defusing the crisis, and discussed the role of the Arab coalition, led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in which the UAE takes part in order to preserve legitimacy and protect the security and stability of Yemeni people.

The two sides discussed the air strikes carried out by the international coalition against ISIL and the need for the international community and coalition to continue their commitment and counter terrorist organizations to prevent them from spreading so as to maintain the world's security and stability.

Both sides underscored the importance of achieving security, stability and peace, promoting the principles of tolerance and peaceful coexistence in the region and the world, and dismissing extremism, fanaticism, violence and terrorism.

The Crown Prince and President welcomed their countries' expansive and growing bilateral trade relationship, noting that the UAE remains the US' largest trading partner in the Middle East. They discussed further economic cooperation and the importance of open trading and investment policies.

Today's meetings mark the beginning of Sheikh Mohamed's two-day visit to Washington, DC, which will also include discussions with other senior US government officials and congressional leaders.

Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Affairs Authority (EAA), Mohammed Mubarak Al Mazrouie, Undersecretary of Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince Court, and Lt. General Juma Ahmed Al Bowardi, Military Advisor to Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces have also joined the Crown Prince on his visit to Washington.

The strong ties between the UAE and US are deeply rooted in shared interests and common values. Together, the two countries are working to promote regional security, create economic prosperity, and address pressing global challenges. 

For more information on the UAE-US bilateral relationship, please visit www.UAEUSAUnited.com.