Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed 'united by hope for a better 2021'

Dubai Ruler and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi meet ahead of new year and tour Al Marmoom Conservation Reserve

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid takes Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed out for a tour of Al Marmoom Lakes on Monday. Courtesy: Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Twitter

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid takes Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed out for a tour of Al Marmoom Lakes on Monday. Courtesy: Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Twitter

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, takes Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, out for a tour of Al Marmoom Lakes on Monday. Courtesy: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Twitter

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, takes Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, out for a tour of Al Marmoom Lakes on Monday. Courtesy: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Twitter

Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, attend a meeting in Dubai on Monday. Courtesy: Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Twitter

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid speaks during a meeting in Dubai on Monday. Seen with Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, and Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, Deputy Ruler of Dubai. Courtesy: Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Twitter

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed attends a meeting in Dubai on Monday. Courtesy: Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Twitter

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, takes Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, out for a tour of Al Marmoom Lakes on Monday. Courtesy: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Twitter

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, takes Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, out for a tour of Al Marmoom Lakes on Monday. Courtesy: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Twitter

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, meet in Dubai on Monday. Courtesy: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Twitter

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, meet in Dubai on Monday. Seen with Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, and Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, Deputy Ruler of Dubai. Courtesy: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Twitter

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, meet in Dubai on Monday. Courtesy: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Twitter

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, meet in Dubai on Monday. Seen with Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, and Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, Deputy Ruler of Dubai. Courtesy: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Twitter

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Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, met in Dubai on Monday to discuss their hopes for a better year ahead.

The pair sat outdoors and maintained a distance of at least two metres, in accordance with Covid-19 safety regulations.

They reviewed issues related to the livelihoods of Emiratis and ways to improve happiness and social stability, state news agency Wam reported.

The leaders discussed Covid-19 and the country's vaccination programme. They praised the efforts of frontline workers, especially medical staff, for protecting the public and treating patients.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said they discussed their plans to make 2021 the UAE's best year yet.

"My brother, Mohamed bin Zayed, visited me today in Al Marmoom. A visit of a brother, leader and friend. Our country unites us," he said on Twitter.

"We are united by thinking of a better tomorrow and we are united by a desire to make 2021 the greatest year in the UAE's development."

On Monday, the pair discussed their current domestic and international tourism drive and how to attract visitors while still maintaining safety measures.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid took Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed on a tour of Al Marmoom Conservation Reserve.

"A tour of Al Marmoom lakes in the most beautiful winter of the UAE ... tours are sweet and life is sweet when they are accompanied by Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan," the Dubai Ruler said.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed shared images from the meeting on Twitter and said: "During my meeting with my brother Mohammed bin Rashid in Dubai, we discussed several issues, including the wellbeing of our citizens-the most important of all. We also discussed the UAE’s efforts to deal with global health challenges and support economic and social prosperity."

Monday's meeting was also attended by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, among others.