Khalifa honoured by S Korean president

President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan held talks with visiting President Lee Myung-bak of South Korea on Wednesday at Al Rawda Palace. General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in the Western Region, were also present. Sheikh Khalifa welcomed the Korean President, noting the distinguished bilateral relations between the two countries in the past. During the meeting, he also stressed the desire of the UAE to expand its co-operation with the Korean side, especially in the economic and technological fields. The President said that relations between the UAE and Korea were based on mutual understanding and always sought further development, through the implementation of bilateral agreements and through the carrying out of strategic development projects, as well as through increasing the volume of bilateral investment. For his part, the Korean President praised the great achievements of the UAE under the wise leadership of President Sheikh Khalifa, which, he said, had enabled the country to enjoy a prestigious position on both regional and international levels. He also expressed his happiness at visiting the UAE and at meeting the UAE President, noting that his visit had been undertaken within the context of the desire of the leadership and governments of both countries to develop co-operation in various fields. During their talks, the two leaders discussed bilateral relations, existing co-operation and ways of strengthening it and the latest international developments. The Korean President conferred on Sheikh Khalifa the Grand Order of Mugunghwa, the highest decoration awarded by the Korean government to presidents and heads of state. He also conferred on Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan the Gunghwa Order, presented to Crown Princes and Heads of Government. Sheikh Khalifa and Sheikh Mohammed both thanked President Lee for the honours conferred upon them, expressing their hope that there would be further development in relations between the two countries in various fields. Meanwhile, Sheikh Khalifa  sent a congratulatory cable to Lebanese President Michel Suleiman on the occasion of his country’s Independence Day. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, also dispatched a similar cable to President Michel.