(Dubai) – H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, received Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti and the delegation accompanying him at his Zabeel Palace. During the talks, which where held in the presence of the H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, they discussed ways to bolster bilateral relations between UAE and Italy and explored new venues for cooperation in various sphere with particular emphasis on trade and cultural exchange.
Sheikh Mohammed asserted the UAE’s high esteem for Italy and praised the friendship and cooperation between the two countries. He expressed hopes that the standing bilateral ties will continue to grow in various spheres through the efforts being made to expand economic and investment cooperation and partnership.
Following the talks the two leaders witnessed signing of a cooperation agreement between UAE and Italy in the fields of culture, arts and heritage and signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the National Emergency Crisis Management Authority (NECMA) of the UAE and the Presidency of the Council of Ministers of the Italian Republic and Department of Civil Protection. A number of ministers and senior state officials attended the meeting and the signing of the agreements.