Washington, D.C. – The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, H.H. General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, completed a landmark trip to Washington D.C. on September 10th, concluding a number of meetings with the Obama Administration and members on Capitol Hill.

The Crown Prince met with President Obama at the White House yesterday in what was His Highness’ first meeting with Mr. Obama as President. They discussed a range of issues from foreign policy, to renewable energy to the 123 Peaceful Civilian Nuclear Energy Agreement. Specifically, in terms of foreign policy they discussed stabilizing Afghanistan, bolstering Iraqi reconstruction, and America’s growing participation in solving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Of course the issue of Iran was a centerpiece in all discussions.

Prior to meeting with President Obama H.H. General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed also had discussions with Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner, Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, National Security Adviser General Jim Jones, and senior Members of Congress. During these discussions H.H. emphasized the centrality of business ties with the U.S. to the U.A.E.’s economic future and the changing security dynamics in the Middle Eastern political environment.

This historic trip occurred on the heels of the U.S. and U.A.E. economic relationship expanding in ever quickening pace in recent years. U.A.E. exports to the United States rose by 25 percent between 2000 and 2008.  The U.A.E. has invested more that $26.5 billion in American companies over the last 12 months. The U.A.E. bought over $6.3 billion of U.S. goods in the first six months of 2009, making it the largest export market for American products in the entire Middle East.  Overall, the trip proved to be a success in helping the U.S. to strengthen its economic and political relationships with a vital ally.