Monday March 18, 2019
Kabul (BNA) President Mohammad Ashraf leading a high-level delegation left Kabul for Abu Dhabi here yesterday, BNA reported.
Upon his arrival, President Ghani was received by Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the United Arab Emirates’Armed Forces. The President was accorded an official reception where the national anthems of the two countries were played, and a 21-gun salute was fired in honor of the president. Following the ceremony, the President was welcomed by UAE Sheikhs, Ministers and senior officials. UAE’s Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed also greeted members of the Afghan delegation accompanying President Ghani.
The two sides discussed bilateral ties and enhancing the relations considering the two countries national interests, the statement added. Sheikh Zayed said his country was supporting Afghanistan’s sustainable development and economic growth, adding UAE was saddened by the recent floods that affected hundreds of people and pledged that his country would extend support to the affected families. Meanwhile President Ghani praised UAE support of Afghanistan and emphasized on utilizing the successful experiences of the country in development affairs. Thanking the country’s generous and development assistance, president Ghani congratulated UAE for hosting the 2019 special Olympic games. Hinting to peace process, the president emphasized on UAE’s key role in the process. Pointing to terrorists’ attacks, the two leaders reiterated their commitments in war on terror.
President Ghani thanked UAE’s extension of cooperation, in particular building the capacity of the country in fight against terrorism. The two sides also discussed enhancing bilateral and trade ties, where President Ghani and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, have witnessed the signing of a number of Memorandum of Understandings, between the two countries in education, culture and sport sectors with the aim to promote and develop joint cooperation between the two countries. The MoUs signed by the two sides at the Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi cover areas of cultural cooperation, education, sports, mining, energy and agriculture, the presidential statement said. Mohammad Humayun Qayoumi, Acting Minister of Finance and Dr. Anwar bin Mohammed Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of UAE signed four agreements on education, mining, energy, and sport cooperation. Meanwhile Qayoumi also signed an MoU on cultural cooperation alongside of Nourabint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, and an agreement on agricultural cooperation with Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi of the UAE, Minister of Climate Change and Environment. The president was accompanied by Fazel Fazli, senior Advisor to the President of Afghanistan; Hamdullah Mohib, National Security Advisor; Mohammad Humayon Qayoumi, Acting Minister of Finance and Chief Advisor on Infrastructure and Technology to the President of Afghanistan; Ajmal Ghani Ahmadzai, Advisor to the Afghan President; Nadima Sahar, Director-General of the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Board of Afghanistan; Abdul Salam Rahimi, Chief of Staff of the Afghan President’s Office of Administrative Affairs; Haroon Chakhansuri, Deputy Chief of Staff and Spokesperson to the President of Afghanistan; Abdul Fareed Zakaria, Ambassador of Afghanistan to the UAE, and Suhrab Ahmed, Secretary of the Afghan President.
