President Khalifa Meets Queen Elizabeth II

(London) – President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, was received with pomp and ceremony by Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip at Windsor Castle. “Your visit this week is a chance to celebrate the depth of our partnership — a partnership that continues to grow and strengthen,’’ said Queen Elizabeth II, who praised the UAE’s investments in the United Kingdom.
The Queen, who later hosted a state lunch for Sheikh Khalifa, said: “Our two countries have been close friends since before the foundation of the United Arab Emirates in 1971, under the wise guidance and leadership of your late father, Shaikh Zayed.’’
Among the guests were Foreign Minister H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and British Prime Minister David Cameron. “Our Treaty of Friendship signed in 1971 declared that the UAE and the UK would consult each other, promote educational, scientific and cultural cooperation and build close trade relations. This has never been truer than it is today and I am delighted with how our ties have developed, spearheaded by the UK-UAE Taskforce.”
The Queen said the UAE is one of Britain’s largest trading partners in the Gulf region. “We have welcomed Emirati investments in the United Kingdom in many areas from the construction of the largest port facilities in the UK to the Emirates Skyline, the spectacular cable-car crossing over the Thames and, of course, Manchester City.” “I hope, Your Highness,” she told ShEikh Khalifa, “that as a result of this visit, our two nations will build on this historical and successful foundation and continue to work together to create a more productive and secure future.” She wished health and prosperity to the people of the United Arab Emirates.
In response, Sheikh Khalifa expressed his “very great pleasure” at joining the Queen for the occasion, thanking her “for your kindness and your most courteous invitation. As the long-standing and historical relationship between our two countries continues to develop positively in all fields, I would like to express my deep gratitude for your cordial visit to the United Arab Emirates in 2010, which left such a good impression on us.”
“We shall strive to develop further the long-established bilateral relations that exist between the United Arab Emirates in all fields, in order to achieve the interests of our two friendly countries,” Shaikh Khalifa said.
“Your Majesty,” he added, “please allow me to express once again my delight with this visit, as well as my confidence in the future prospects of the distinguished bilateral relations between our two friendly nations.” Shaikh Khalifa then, with the guests, raised a toast to the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh and to the health and prosperity of the people of the United Kingdom.