Sheikh Abdullah welcomes speech by President Morsi

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, says the UAE is keen to boost political, economic and investment relations with Egypt under its new leadership.

Sheikh Abdullah also described the new president of Egypt, Mohammed Morsi, a former Muslim Brotherhood official, as a "capable statesman".

"Egypt's strong, balanced and effective role will reflect positively on the Arab world to become more influential on the global stage and prevent any regional interventions in Arab affairs," the state news agency Wam quoted him as saying.

"The bilateral relations between UAE and Egypt thrive on solid ground, and there is a genuine desire to develop them for the benefit of the two countries and their peoples."

Referring to Mr Morsi's speech at the University of Cairo on Saturday, Sheikh Abdullah praised the statement that Egypt would not interfere in the internal affairs of others, or export the revolution, Wam reported.

newsdesk@thenational.ae