UAE pledges to cement ties with Latin American nations

[Al Bhatti]

April 20, 2014

UAE pledges to cement ties with Latin American nations

Mohammad and delegation arrive in Mexico, the first stop in the four-nation tour


His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, arrived in Mexico City Sunday, pledging to enhance relations with the Latin American countries.

Shaikh Mohammad and his delegation were welcomed at the Mexico City Airport by Carlos Alberto de Icaza Gonzalez, Mexican Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs, a number of senior officials and Francisco Alonso Escobar, Mexican Ambassador to the UAE, a WAM report said.

“The world is full of opportunities in its four corners. It is a large arena for competition and achievement. Successful nations are the ones which extend their hands to everyone for the interests and welfare of their peoples,” Shaikh Mohammad said on his Twitter account.

“With God’s help, we will begin our tour of four countries in Latin America — Mexico, Brazil, Chile and Argentina. We have investments in these countries and opened air routes, and have increased our trade with them. Today we want to connect these countries with the Far East via the UAE,” Shaikh Mohammad tweeted after his arrival in Mexico City for a two-day state visit.

He said the four countries recently sent several commercial and business delegations to the UAE to enhance their presence in Middle East markets, and “we are here today to strengthen this relationship.”

UAE pledges to cement ties with Latin American nations | GulfNews.com

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April 20, 2014

Mohammad arrives in Mexico

Mohammad Bin Rashid starts two-day visit to Mexico where he will hold talks with Mexican leaders

His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, arrived in Mexico City on Sunday, on a two-day state visit to the North American country.

The Vice-President and his accompanying delegation were received at the airport by Carlos Alberto de Icaza Gonzalez, Mexican Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs, and a number of senior officials, as well as Francisco Alonso Escobar, Ambassador of Mexico to the UAE.

Shaikh Mohammad is accompanied by a high-profile delegation that includes Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister, Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation and Chairman and CEO of Emirates airline and Group, Mohammad Bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, Reem Ebrahim Al Hashemi, Minister of State, Mohammad Ebrahim Al Shaibani, Director General of the Office of His Highness the Ruler of Dubai, Lieutenant General Misbah Bin Rashid AI Fattan, Director of the Office of the Vice-President, Khalifa Saeed Sulaiman, Director-General of the Department of Protocol and Hospitality in Dubai, Saeed Rashid Obaid Al Za’abi, UAE Ambassador to Mexico and other senior officials.

Mohammad arrives in Mexico | GulfNews.com

 

[Levina]

Finally UAE looks to improve its relations with US's foes.

 

[Al Bhatti]

April 21, 2014

Successful nations extend their hands to all: Mohammed
On tour of four South American nations

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, arriving at Mexico City Airport on Sunday.



His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has emphasised that the world is full of opportunities and provides a big arena for competition and achievement, and successful nations extend their hands to all others in order to achieve the interests of their peoples.

In tweets on his official Twitter account, Sheikh Mohammed said, “Today inshallah, we begin an important tour to four South American countries: Mexico, Brazil, Chile and Argentina. We pray to God for success.”

“We have investments in South America. We opened air routes and increased our trade with the region's countries. And today, we want to link them with the Far East via UAE.

Recently, these countries sent several trade and investment delegations to UAE to bolster their presence in the Middle East markets. Today, we want to further this relationship," added Sheikh Mohammed.

Sheikh Mohammed arrived early morning on Sunday at Mexico City Airport starting a two-day visit to Mexico.

He is being accompanied by Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister; Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Emirates Group; Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Gargawi, Minister for Cabinet Affairs; Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemi, Minister of State; Mohammed Ibrahim Al Shaibani, Director-General of the Office of His Highness the Ruler of Dubai; Lt. General Misbah bin Rashid Al Fattan, Director of the Office of the Vice-President; Khalifa Saeed Suleiman, Director-General of the Department of Protocol and Hospitality in Dubai; Saeed Rashid Obeid Al Za'abi, UAE Ambassador to Mexico and a number of officials.

Successful nations extend their hands to all: Mohammed - Emirates 24/7

--------------------------------

Finally UAE looks to improve its relations with US's foes.

“We have investments in South America. We opened air routes and increased our trade with the region's countries. And today, we want to link them with the Far East via UAE.

Recently, these countries sent several trade and investment delegations to UAE to bolster their presence in the Middle East markets. Today, we want to further this relationship," added Sheikh Mohammed.

 

[Al Bhatti]

April 21, 2014

His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, held talks with Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto on bilateral relations and ways to enhance them. Shaikh Mohammad dedicated the Spanish copy of his book “Flashes of Thought” to the Mexican President who accepted the gift.

Shaikh Mohammad and the Mexican president attended a signing ceremony of an accord to protect and encourage investments between the two countries.

Shaikh Mohammad, accompanied by the visiting delegation, also visited the ancient city of Teotihuacan and toured its ancient sites.

Shaikh Mohammad, accompanied by the visiting delegation, also visited the ancient city of Teotihuacan and toured its ancient sites.


UAE and Mexico sign deal on investments

Mohammad and Pena Nieta hold talks on bilateral ties

His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, held talks with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto on bilateral relations.

They discussed cooperation between the two countries through building a strategic partnership in economic sectors and investment in the best interests of both nations. The talks also touched on a number of international political and economic issues.

Shaikh Mohammad was accorded an official reception at the Presidential Palace where he inspected the guard of honour. Shaikh Mohammad and the Mexican president attended a signing ceremony of an accord to protect and encourage investments between the two countries. The pact was signed by Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister, and Mexican Economy Minister Ildefonso Guajardo.

Shaikh Mohammad presented a Spanish copy of his book Flashes of Thought to the Mexican president and signed the commemorative pictures of him along with Pena Nieto.

Later Shaikh Mohammad laid a wreath at the Boy Heroes Monument, which marks the heroism of Mexican teenage military cadets who were killed during the Battle of Chapultepec in September 1847 during the Mexican–American War in which hundreds of Mexican students and children were killed.

Shaikh Mohammad and his delegation visited the ancient city of Teotihuacan and toured the sites. Located about 35km from Mexico City, it was built in 100 B.C.

The ruins of Teotihuacan archaeological site are among the most remarkable in Mexico. The Aztecs believed that the gods created the universe in this ancient city that once flourished as the epicentre of culture and commerce during Mesoamerica's Classic period. Located about 50 km (30 miles) north of Mexico City makes an ideal day trip for history and anthropology buffs.

The site was inhabited from around 200 B.C. until its collapse almost one thousand years later. Teotihuacan is thought to have had a population of about 200 thousand inhabitants at its peak.

UAE and Mexico sign deal on investments | GulfNews.com

 

[Al Bhatti]

April 22, 2014

UAE, Brazil discuss bilateral cooperation

Mohammad holds talks with Brazil president

His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on Tuesday held talks with Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff on bilateral relations.

On the second leg of his tour, Shaikh Mohammad and his accompanying delegation arrived in Brasilia, where he and the Brazilian President explored ways to create new channels for greater cooperation in the areas of investment, tourism and trade, thus paving the way for building a stronger partnership that allows both nations to tap their potential in the best interests of both people.

Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister, was present at the meeting.

Shaikh Mohammad expressed his delight at visiting a prestigious and friendly country that enjoys international respect and recognition for its cultural and economic diversity, making it one of the promising global economies.

Dilma Rousseff welcomed Shaikh Mohammad’s visit and expressed her confidence that the visit would open up new horizons for a better and greater cooperation to serve mutual interests of both countries and people.

Later, Shaikh Mohammad met Brazilian Vice President Michel Temer in the presence of Shaikh Abdullah. They explored ways to strengthen friendship and cooperation in investment, tourism and culture, and other fields that would contribute to bringing the people of the UAE and Brazil closer.

Shaikh Mohammad and Tamer then attended a signing ceremony of a military cooperation accord to exchange expertise and joint training, among others in the fields of military cooperation between the two countries.

The agreement was signed by Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister, and Brazilian Defence Minister Celso Amorim.

The signing ceremony was attended by Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline, Mohammad Bin Abdullah Al Gargawi, Minister for Cabinet Affairs, Reem Ebrahim Al Hashemi, Minister of State, Mohammad Ebrahim Al Shaibani, Director General of the Dubai Ruler’s Office, Lt. General Misbah Bin Rashid Al Fattan, Director of the Office of the Vice-President, Khalifa Saeed Sulaiman, Director-General of the Department of Protocol and Hospitality, and Sultan Rashid Al Keetob, UAE Ambassador to Brazil, as well as a number of top Brazilin officers.

UAE, Brazil discuss bilateral cooperation | GulfNews.com

 

[al-Hasani]

There are about 30-40 million Latin Americans of Arab ancestry. 11 million in Brazil alone. 95% are Christian today and few speak Arabic but they have left a big marker in most Latin societies. Many presidents and prime ministers have been of Arab origin. The world's richest person is an Mexican-Arab. Carlos Slim.

Another famous Mexican-Arab is Salma Hayek. Just the name gives it away.
Another one is Shakira. Shakira means "thankful" in Arabic. Her surname is also Mubarak. Relatively common surname in the Arab world. There are many Arabs in Colombia.

The list is very long.

The famous Brazilian football coach and World Cup Winner (as player and coach) Zagallo is also an Arab-Brazilian.

Many models, singers, military personal etc.

Arabs Making Their Mark in Latin America: Generations of Immigrants in Colombia, Venezuela and Mexico | Al Jadid Magazine

Latin America's Moorish and Arab Influence

To make matters more interesting for you as an Portuguese speaker then don't forget that Iberia (Portugal and Spain) was under Arab/Moorish control for nearly 1000 years and 20-25% of all Spanish words are of an Arabic origin and a similar percentage in the Portuguese language.

On another note up to 20.000 Porutguese words are of Arabic origin. Quite a few. Most Portuguese people probably do not have a clue about all this I suspect since it is just a part of their heritage today.

Over 20 000 Arabic words in the Portuguese language… : Muslim in the Midst…

http://www.transeuropeennes.eu/ressources/pdfs/TIM_2011_Arabic_Portuguese_Catarina_BELO_114.pdf

Especially the last link is interesting:

Did you know? Latin America has had 8 presidents of Arab origin | ngc blog

So our people and cultures are more closely related on all fronts than one could believe. Even when it comes to the cuisine.

So for all those reasons I do wonder why the hell the Arab world has not tried to establish closer ties with Latin America a long, long time ago. It must be mostly bound in the geographical distance or maybe bound in difference of religion which should not really matter since there are millions of Arab Christians (first Christians in the world after the Jews).

In any case this is positive news.

Lastly I just recently found out that Brazil along with Venezuela is a observing member of the Arab League. Only India and Eritrea are that otherwise. @blackface

 

[Al Bhatti]

April 25, 2014

Shaikh Mohammad and de Kirchner at the Presidential Palace in Buenos Aires on Thursday. Shaikh Mohammad inspected the guard of honour at the welcome ceremony.


Mohammad, Kirchner hail nuclear energy cooperation agreement
Ways to boost tourism, cultural relations between UAE and Argentina discussed

His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner of Argentina witnessed Thursday the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) in the field of peaceful nuclear energy.

The memorandum was signed by Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister, and Julio de Fido, Argentine Minister of Planning, Investment and Public Works.

Shaikh Mohammad arrived in the capital earlier in the day as part of his official tour of South America.

Shaikh Mohammad expressed his pleasure at the signing of the memo between the two countries, considering it the first of many bilateral cooperation projects and a fruitful result of his visit to Argentina which is rich in heritage, natural resources, the minds of its people and its leadership which seeks to build new partnerships on the international level for a productive cooperation that will yield goodness to all parties.

Kirchner also praised the agreement.

Both Shaikh Mohammad and Shaikh Abdullah reviewed with Kirchner the best ways to enhance relations and cooperation between the countries while widening the scope of bilateral trade, tourism and cultural ties.

They also discussed joint investments between private sector companies in both countries and exchanges of expertise and knowhow to build partnerships in all fields thus achieving mutual interest for all parties supported and backed by the governments.

Mohammad, Kirchner hail nuclear energy cooperation agreement | GulfNews.com

 

[Al Bhatti]

@WebMaster or the mods, can you please merge this thread with Arab world and Latin America cooperation thread

April 26, 2014

Shaikh Mohammad, accompanied by Bachelet, reviewing the guard of honour at the Presidential Palace in Santiago on Friday.

Shaikh Mohammad and Bachelet witnessed the signing of bilateral agreements. Shaikh Abdullah also attended the meeting.

Shaikh Mohammad arrived in Chile on Friday as part of his Latin American tour

UAE and Chile pledge to boost bilateral relations and trade
UAE Vice President and Chilean President witness signing of key agreements

His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, held talks with Michelle Bachelet, President of the Republic of Chile in Santiago on Friday.

Shaikh Mohammad arrived in Chile on Friday as part of his Latin American tour.

Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister, attended the meeting, which tackled a number of international and bilateral issues of mutual interest, as well as ways to expand cooperation horizons and friendship ties, especially in the economic, cultural and air transport domains.

Shaikh Mohammad and Bachelet witnessed the signing of bilateral agreements related to avoidance of dual taxation on profits of air transport companies and international shipping.

Another Memorandum of Understanding was signed to enhance cultural relations and exchanges between the two countries and emphasise the importance of developing dialogues between different cultures and contributing to building cultural bridges of peace, co-existence and stability.

Shaikh Mohammad expressed his deep optimism about the results of his visit to Chile, particularly in the cultural and tourist exchange fields.

Bachelet welcomed Shaikh Mohammad, describing his visit as a historic moment that will lead to the opening up of more doors for joint investments and enhanced trade.

The agreements were signed by Shaikh Abdullah and Heraldo Munoz, Chilean Foreign Minister.

UAE and Chile pledge to boost bilateral relations and trade | GulfNews.com