ABU DHABI - Turkish Foreign Minister & Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul met today United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheik Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nuhayyan and other high ranking officials in Abu Dhabi.
After his meeting with UAE President Nuhayyan and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and deputy commander of UAE armed forces Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nuhayyan, FM Gul met UAE Deputy Prime Minister Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nuhayyan. Gul also conveyed a message of Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer to UAE President, inviting him to visit Turkey.
Speaking to Turkish reporters after his meetings, Gul said that he visited UAE to deepen the cooperation between Turkey and Gulf countries and indicated that UAE was a significant country of the region with its rapidly developing economy.
Gul stressed that the relations between Turkey and the UAE were considered as strategic partnership.
Gul stressed that in addition to political, economic and military relations, the two countries had also taken steps to improve their cooperation in defense sector.
Gul remarked that he explained in details to UAE officials the recent developments in Cyprus , asking UAE for support to end the blockade on TRNC. UAE President Nuhayyan told him that the Turkish side did what was needed and that the continuation of the embargoes on TRNC was unlawful, Gul said. UAE officials also told him that they praised Turkey as a modern country which preserves its traditions, Gul said.
Sources added that leading investors in UAE are interested in privatization projects of some Turkish state companies.