ABU DHABI, 20th March, 2019 (WAM) -- His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, today held talks with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia, on bilateral relations between the two countries.

During the meeting held in Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and Prime Minister Abiy reviewed the friendly ties between the UAE and Ethiopia, and opportunities to further enhance said relations across multiple sectors, particularly in development, trade and investment, to serve the common interests of both countries.

The two sides also exchanged views on regional and international developments, as well as a number of issues of mutual concern.

Sheikh Mohamed also noted the importance behind enhancing cooperation and joint action between the UAE and Ethiopia, opening up new opportunities to serve the interests of both countries and peoples, and achieve their development aspirations.

For his part, the Ethiopian Prime Minister expressed his happiness at visiting the UAE, the land of tolerance and peace, praising the country's global humanitarian efforts to promote the values of tolerance, co-existence and cooperation among different nations, peoples and cultures worldwide.

Mr. Abiy stressed his country's interest in strengthening and diversifying its relations with the UAE, across the trade and investment sectors, among other areas of cooperation to achieve the development aspirations of the two countries.

Dr. Anwar bin Mohammed Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Suhail bin Mohammed Faraj Faris Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Industry, and Mohammed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, Under-Secretary of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince's Court, were present during the meeting.

His Highness, the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince, received Prime Minister Abiy at Al Bateen Airport earlier on Wednesday.