(Abu Dhabi) – H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai received at Al Zabeel Palace Prime Minister of Finland Jyrki Katainen. During the meeting, Sheikh Mohammed and Katainen exchanged views on the current situation in the region. They also discussed the relations between the UAE and Finland and ways to enhance them, especially in the areas of innovation, knowledge economy and water technology.
Sheikh Mohammed welcomed the expansion of scope of cooperation and exchange of expertise between the two countries, especially in the areas of innovation and knowledge, stressing the keenness of UAE on establishing cooperation ties with different countries worldwide. The UAE Vice President receives the invitation from President of Finland Saul Niinisto to visit Helsinki, which was accepted by Sheikh Mohammed.
For his part, the Prime Minister of Finland expressed willingness of his country to open new channels for cooperation with the UAE in all levels in the light of surge in the trade exchange, which stood at about at $500 million. He praised the progress being witnessed by the UAE, citing the-state-of-art infrastructure and road network.
The meeting was attended by H.E. Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister for the Cabinet Affairs, H.E. Sultan Al Mansouri, Minister of Economy, H.E. Mariam Al Roumi, Minister of Social Affairs, H.E. Mohammed Ibrahim Al Shaibani, Director General of the Dubai Ruler’s Court, H.E. Lt. General Musbeh Rashid Al Fattan, Director of the office of the UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, H.E. Khalifa Saeed Suleiman, Director General for Protocol and Hospitality in Dubai and Finnish Ambassador to UAE Ilkka-Pekka Simila.
