ABU DHABI, 19th January, 2014 (WAM) -- His Highness General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, today received at Mushrif Palace, the visiting Ethiopians Prime Minister, Hailemariam Desalegn.

The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi welcomed Desalegn and discussed with him friendship and cooperation ties between the two friendly countries, and issues of mutual interest as well.

The meeting also tackled the importance of bolstering bilateral relations, especially in the economic and investment domains.

Sheikh Mohamed said that the UAE, led by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, "is looking forward to building stronger ties with the friendly countries and peoples based on joint cooperation and mutual respect."On his part, the Ethiopian Prime Minister expressed his happiness to visit the UAE and meet the Emirati officials and exchange views with them on a number of issues of mutual interest to enhance cooperation and investment opportunities, as well as benefiting from the mutual expertise and capabilities.

The two side exchanged views on the latest regional and international developments, in addition to a number of issues of mutual interest.

Sheikh Mohamed hosted a dinner banquet in the honour of the Ethiopian Prime Minister and his accompanying delegation.

Among those who attended the event were H.H. Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Ruler`s Representative in the Eastern Region, H.H. Sheikh Surour bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, H.H. Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Advisor and Vice Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, H.H. Sheikh Saeed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Ruler`s Representative, H.H. Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs ,H.H. Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chief of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince's Court, H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister, H.H. Sheikh Omar bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation, H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Advisor to the UAE President, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Executive Council Member, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, a number of ministers, Executive Council members of Abu Dhabi, senior military and police officers, Dr Youssef Issa Hassan Al Sabri, UAE Ambassador to the Republic of Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union, Abdul Qader Rasqwa, the Ambassador of Ethiopia to the U.A.E, and a number of Ethiopian ministers.

Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2014.