WASHINGTON // Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, met privately yesterday with President Barack Obama, concluding a four-day visit to Washington. Sheikh Mohammed and President Obama discussed the broad and deepening relations uniting the US and the UAE, pledging to continue their close cooperation on security, economic and energy .
The Crown Prince applauded Mr Obama's strong support for the US-UAE Bilateral Agreement for Peaceful Nuclear Cooperation, better known as the 123 Agreement, which the president submitted to Congress in May. He also expressed his hope that Congress will approve the agreement, acknowledging the UAE as a model for the peaceful development of nuclear energy. Congress is currently considering the nuclear accord, which has been firmly backed by members of the cabinet. The 123 agreement is likely to come into force on October 17, paving the way for the peaceful exchange of nuclear technology and know-how between the two countries. Sheikh Mohammed also thanked the Mr Obama for his support in the UAE's bid to host the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) headquarters, which will be housed in Abu Dhabi's Masdar City.
Sheikh Mohammed and Mr Obama underscored the strong commitment to a stable and peaceful Middle East, lauding two nations' strategic and military cooperation in the region. They agreed on the importance of working together to support the rebuilding of Iraq, stabilising Afghanistan and Pakistan and eradicating extremism. The Crown Prince also welcomed the US administration's commitment to working with both sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to find a solution, and emphasised the UAE's willingness to continue to play a leading role in promoting a peaceful resolution of the conflict.
Joining Sheikh Mohammed in the meeting were Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, the UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Yousef al Otaiba, UAE Ambassador to the United States. The meeting with Mr Obama capped a week-long visit to the US capital during which Sheikh Mohammed met with Hillary Clinton, the secretary of state, and other members of Mr Obama's cabinet, including Timothy Geithner, the secretary of the treasury, and Steven Chu, the secretary of energy.
US state department spokesman Darby Holladay said Sheikh Mohammed's visit was part of "regular consultations between the US and Emirati officials on a broad range of bilateral and regional issues". The Crown Prince also met with the national security adviser, Gen James Jones, and key congressional leaders, including Richard Lugar of Indiana, the top Republican on the Senate foreign relations committee, and John McCain of Arizona, the former Republican presidential candidate.
Mr McCain mentioned the sit-down on the website Twitter. "Met with the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi," Mr McCain wrote. "He is an intelligent and well informed friend of the United States." sstanek@thenational.ae