President Sheikh Mohamed meets Rulers of Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah

Head of State discusses country's development plan and praises Sultan Al Neyadi during talks in Abu Dhabi

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed, president of the Department of Civil Aviation and chief executive and chairman of Emirates Group, arrive at a Sea Palace barza. All photos: UAE Presidential Court

President Sheikh Mohamed receives Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, during a Sea Palace barza

President Sheikh Mohamed receives Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai

Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed, Ruler's Representative in Al Ain Region, speaks with Sheikh Saif bin Mohammed during a Sea Palace barza

Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, and Sheikh Ahmad bin Saud, fifth right, attend a Sea Palace barza

President Sheikh Mohamed receives Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, during a Sea Palace barza. Seen with Sheikh Saif bin Mohammed; Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed, Ruler's Representative in Al Ain Region; Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah; and Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud Al Qasimi, Crown Prince of Ras Al Khaimah

Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, and Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoun, chairman of the board of the Frontline Heroes Office, attend a Sea Palace barza

President Sheikh Mohamed receives Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, during a Sea Palace barza

Sheikh Ahmad bin Saud and Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, attend a Sea Palace barza

President Sheikh Mohamed receives Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai

Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region, speaks with Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed, president of the Department of Civil Aviation and chief executive and chairman of the Emirates Group, during a Sea Palace barza

Sheikh Zayed bin Tahnoun attends a Sea Palace barza

President Sheikh Mohamed on Tuesday discussed the UAE's development journey during high-level talks with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah.

The leaders gathered at Qasr Al Bahr in Abu Dhabi to review the nation's future aspirations and efforts to further advance the wellbeing of its people, state news agency Wam reported.

They congratulated history-making astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi on his safe return from his six-month stay aboard the International Space Station.

The three men offered their thanks to all who contributed to the success of the landmark journey, which was the longest space mission ever undertaken in the Arab world.

Dr Al Neyadi also broke new ground by becoming the first Arab astronaut to take part in a spacewalk.

Dr Al Neyadi and three fellow astronauts arrived back on Earth on Monday, after departing the International Space Station 17 hours earlier.

The SpaceX Dragon capsule carrying them splashed down off the coast of Jacksonville, Florida, at 8.17am UAE time.

The meeting was attended by a number of sheikh's, ministers and officials, including Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud Al Qasimi, Crown Prince of Ras Al Khaimah, Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed, president of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and chairman and chief executive of Emirates Airline and Group.