Senior UAE officials have expressed profound happiness on the country's enviable achievements and successes since the establishment of the UAE Federation on December 2, 1971.

In statements to Dira Al Watan magazine of the UAE Armed Forces, on the 36th National Day anniversary, Shaikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, said: "We celebrate the 36th National Day anniversary and we can see the great achievements that the UAE has accomplished in different fields. And as the result of the prudent policy adopted by President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who follows the policy set by the founding father, Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the UAE can achieve more in all fields."

Shaikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, praised the wise policies of Shaikh Khalifa. Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister, paid homage to the late Shaikh Zayed whose effort in drawing up UAE foreign policy won him the devotion of his people and the admiration of the world.

Lieutenant General Shaikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Interior Minister, said there is no doubt that the founding of the UAE Federation on December 2, 1971, represents a focal point in the history of the UAE and its people and a source of pride for the whole Arab nation.

Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Presidential Affairs, said: "Today, I'm honoured like any UAE national to greet President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who followed with confidence the course of late father Shaikh Zayed, on the 36th national day anniversary."

Shaikha Lubna Al Qasimi, Minister of Economy, said: "The 36th national day anniversary renews our pride of the day in which the UAE nationals united their word. It is the day on which official and public came together to build a prosperous country and achieve ambitions and preserve heritage, tradition and distinguished Arab spirit.

Shaikh Khalifa and Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid yesterday received greeting cables on the occasion of National Day from leaders around the world.