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Abu Dhabi: President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Sunday held talks with US President George W. Bush, in the presence of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
The leaders discussed relations between the UAE and the United States and ways of boosting them in various domains, as well as the latest regional developments.
As he welcomed the US President, Shaikh Khalifa reiterated the UAE's keenness to enhance its distinguished economic partnership with the US, which is the major economic partner in the Gulf region.
Shaikh Khalifa hailed the growing relations between the two friendly countries in all fields, particularly in political, economic, military and cultural spheres.
The leaders discussed the latest developments regarding the peace process in view of Bush's regional tour and his talks with Palestinian, Israeli and Arab leaders, in the presence of General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
They also discussed a number of issues related to maintaining security and stability in the region, the situation in Iraq, Lebanon and Afghanistan, in addition to the global fight against terrorism.
"The UAE is a partner in the war on terrorism and will exert every possible effort to achieve stability and development in the region and the world," Shaikh Khalifa said.
He underlined the role of the US in maintaining regional security and pushing the peace process ahead and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the ground of the road map and the Arab Peace Initiative.
Bush expressed his pleasure at visiting the UAE, while acknowledging the leading regional and international position of the UAE and its economic boom, which he termed as an "example to be emulated".
The US President highlighted the UAE's role in maintaining regional and international security and peace. He reiterated the significance of UAE-US relations in all fields, particularly, economic, political and military fields.
"The US administration is looking forward to further boost and expand joint cooperation and coordination with the UAE," Bush said. Earlier, Shaikh Khalifa and Shaikh Mohammad received Bush at the airport where he was given a state reception.
Shaikh Khalifa presented Bush with the Zayed Order in recognition of his person and the distinguished relations between the two countries.
The President hosted a lunch banquet in honour of the US President and his delegation.
The talks were attended by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister, Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Presidential Affairs, and other shaikhs, ministers and senior officials.
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