PM hails openness of UAE to Iraq

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on Tuesday said that the openness of UAE to Baghdad is a supportive element to Iraq by the Arab countries. “Al-Maliki met today Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahayan and UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahayan and his accompanying delegation,” the cabinet’s media office said in a statement received by IraqiNews.com. “The United Arab Emirates was one of the leading countries in opening to Iraq, boosting ties with it and supporting its democratic experience,” al-Maliki asserted, noting that UAE openness to Baghdad is a supportive element of Iraq by the Arab countries. “The visit by Abu Dhabi crown prince is an important step in developing and boosting relations with the UAE, mainly in political, economic and trade relations,” he also said. For his part, Sheikh Mohamed said the UAE has a deep-rooted relation with Iraq, asserting that during his visit the place of the UAE embassy in Iraq and the time of its inauguration will be determined. Al-Maliki on Tuesday received Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, crown prince of Abu Dhabi and UAE deputy army commander, and his accompanying delegation during a ceremony held at the Baghdad International Airport. The ceremony was attended by senior Iraqi officials, including Deputy Prime Minister Rafeaa al-Eisawi, Deputy Speaker of the parliament Sheikh Khaled al-Attiya as well as a number of ministers and lawmakers. Abu Dhabi crown prince had arrived in Baghdad earlier as a landmark visit to Iraq to discuss key issues with Iraqi officials. In July, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of which the capital and oil-rich Abu Dhabi is a member, announced a seven-billion-dollar debt forgiveness for Iraq. The UAE withdrew its most senior diplomat — a charge d’affaires — from Baghdad in May 2006 after another diplomat was kidnapped by gunmen and held for two weeks. SH (S) 1