His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces, held a series of important bilateral meetings with United States President Barack Obama, key member of his cabinet, and Congress yesterday and over the weekend. His Highness and the President discussed a range of regional and bilateral issues, most notably the various conflicts that continue to roil large areas of the Middle East. They underscored the strong partnership between the U.S. and the U.A.E., and reaffirmed their mutual commitment to close defense and security cooperation, including in counterterrorism, in particular against ISIL and Al Qaeda. The President and Crown Prince also reviewed the expanding economic and commercial ties between the United States and the U.A.E. in areas ranging from trade and commerce to clean energy.

Following the two leaders’ discussion, the Crown Prince met with U.S. Secretary of Defense Carter and other members of the President’s Cabinet to discuss a range of bilateral defense, diplomatic, trade, and security issues and ways to strengthen and increase the strategic security and economic cooperation between the two countries. His Highness is also meeting with key members of Congress to discuss a wide range of important bilateral and regional issues.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces,
shakes hands with U.S. President Barack Obama on Monday, April 20, 2015, in Washington, D.C.
(Photo Credit: The White House)

Below please find the readouts of the meetings from both the official Emirates News Agency-WAM and U.S. Government official press gaggles, as well as summaries of the meetings as reported in a number of U.S. and international news outlets.

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Mohammed bin Zayed, Obama stress importance of GCC-US alliance
21 April 2015
Emirates News Agency – WAM

Washington – His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, met with US President Barack Obama and Vice-President Joe Biden at the White House on Monday to discuss a range of bilateral and regional issues.

Shaikh Mohammed conveyed to President Obama greetings of the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and his wishes of further progress and prosperity to the people of the United States. President Obama asked Shaikh Mohammed to pass on his greetings to the UAE President.

Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed stated that the UAE, under President Shaikh Khalifa, places great importance on bolstering up bilateral cooperation with the US in all fields.

Shaikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy National Security Adviser; and Shaikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs; and US Secretary of State John Kerry also attended the meeting, which reinforced the strong bilateral relationship between the UAE and the US.

The meeting further discussed the framework agreement on Iran’s nuclear programme signed recently between the P5+1 and Iran and the need for the final deal to be binding for Iran and to take into account the international concerns regarding nuclear proliferation and the threat to peace, security and stability in the region and the world.

The Crown Prince and President expressed a shared commitment to the importance of the Gulf Cooperation Council-US alliance as a key pillar of regional stability and security. The two leaders agreed on the need to enhance security cooperation between the GCC and US to challenge aggression and extremism throughout the region, a key focus of next month’s Camp David meeting.

The Crown Prince thanked the President for his personal commitment and Secretary of State John Kerry’s untiring efforts in the P5+1 talks with Iran. He stressed the importance of preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons in the Arabian Gulf and the UAE’s vital interest in the strongest possible verification measures in any final agreement.

The meeting also touched on the latest developments in the Arab region and ways to achieve security and stability in Yemen, Syria and Libya, preserve their national and territorial unity and put an end to the bloodshed and loss of innocent lives.

The meeting highlighted the importance of implementing UN resolutions and the GCC initiative regarding Yemen for defusing the crisis, and discussed the role of the Arab coalition, led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in which the UAE takes part in order to preserve legitimacy and protect the security and stability of Yemeni people.

The two sides discussed the air strikes carried out by the international coalition against Daesh and the need for the international community and coalition to continue their commitment and counter terrorist organisations to prevent them from spreading so as to maintain the world’s security and stability.

Both sides underscored the importance of achieving security, stability and peace, promoting the principles of tolerance and peaceful coexistence in the region and the world, and dismissing extremism, fanaticism, violence and terrorism.

The Crown Prince and President welcomed their countries’ expansive and growing bilateral trade relationship, noting that the UAE remains the US’ largest trading partner in the Middle East. They discussed further economic cooperation and the importance of open trading and investment policies.

Today’s meetings mark the beginning of Shaikh Mohammed’s two-day visit to Washington DC, which will also include discussions with other senior US government officials and congressional leaders.

Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Affairs Authority (EAA); Yousef Al Otaiba, UAE Ambassador to the US; Mohammed Mubarak Al Mazrouie, Undersecretary of Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince Court; and Lt.-General Juma Ahmed Al Bowardi, Military Advisor to Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces; have also joined the Crown Prince on his visit to Washington.

The strong ties between the UAE and US are deeply rooted in shared interests and common values. Together, the two countries are working to promote regional security, create economic prosperity, and address pressing global challenges.

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Readout of the President’s Meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates
20 April 2015
The White House – Office of the Press Secretary

During their meeting today at the White House, President Obama and the UAE’s Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan discussed a range of regional and bilateral issues, and consulted on how best to deepen our cooperation in areas of shared interest. They underscored the strong partnership between our two countries, and reaffirmed their mutual commitment to close defense and security cooperation, including in counterterrorism, in particular against ISIL and Al Qaeda. The President and Crown Prince also reviewed the expanding ties between the United States and the UAE in areas ranging from trade and commerce to clean energy.

The President and the Crown Prince also discussed a range of regional challenges, including the ongoing conflicts in Yemen, Libya, Iraq and Syria; and efforts to reach a long-term, comprehensive deal between the P5+1 and Iran to ensure that Iran does not acquire a nuclear weapon. The President and Crown Prince also discussed the upcoming May meetings at the White House and Camp David with Gulf Cooperation Council leaders as an important opportunity to deepen cooperation between the U.S. and GCC partners.

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Mohamed bin Zayed meets US Defence Secretary
21 April 2015
Emirates News Agency – WAM

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces met today with US Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter.

They discussed relations of friendship and cooperation between the UAE and the USA and ways to develop them to serve the interest of the two friendly peoples.

The meeting, attended by H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, also touched on regional and international issues, as well as current developments in the Middle East.

The Crown Prince and Secretary noted the close military and security ties between their two countries in ongoing actions against the challenges and terrorist threats faced by a number of countries in the region.

They reviewed the events in Yemen and the Arab and international stances towards providing security and stability to the people of Yemen.

In attendance were Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Affairs Authority (EAA), Yousef Al Otaiba, UAE Ambassador to the US, Lt. General Juma Ahmed Al Bowardi, Military Advisor to Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and a number of US officials.

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Readout of Secretary of Defense Ash Carter’s Meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan
20 April 2015
U.S. Department of Defense – News Release

Today, Secretary of Defense Ash Carter met with Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to discuss the U.S.-UAE bilateral defense relationship. Secretary Carter emphasized the importance of the U.S.-UAE strategic partnership and reiterated both countries shared commitment to ensuring a stable and secure Middle East. Secretary Carter also lauded bilateral security cooperation and commended UAE’s efforts to work with the United States to expand regional military collaboration. The meeting ended with a discussion of regional issues, including the Gulf Cooperation Council-led air campaign in Yemen, the counter Islamic State in the Levant (ISIL) coalition, and ongoing regional negotiations.

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Additional:

Obama, crown prince of United Arab Emirates discuss Middle East violence, Yemen and Iran
20 April 2015
Associated Press

Obama, Abu Dhabi crown prince discuss need for military equipment
20 April 2015
Reuters

Sheikh Mohammed meets Barack Obama in Washington
By: Taimur Khan
20 April 2015
The National

Mohamed bin Zayed praises Obama’s commitment on prevention of nuclear weapons proliferation
21 April 2015
Emirates News Agency – WAM

Obama to Lobby UAE Crown Prince to Back Iran Deal
By: Jay Solomon
20 April 2015
Wall Street Journal