UAE President arrives in Hungary after visits to Serbia and Albania

Sheikh Mohamed expected to meet Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban

President Sheikh Mohamed arrived in Hungary on Thursday and is expected to meet Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on an official visit.

He was received by Kristof Szalay-Bobrovniczky, Hungary's Minister of Defence, on arriving at Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport.

It follows a working visit to Serbia, where Sheikh Mohamed met President Aleksandar Vucic for talks, and a trip to Albania on Wednesday, during which he met Prime Minister Edi Rama.

In Belgrade, Sheikh Mohamed focused on various areas of co-operation with Mr Vucic, particularly in investment, economy, trade, technology, food security and renewable energy.

Sheikh Mohamed stressed the UAE’s commitment to supporting peace and stability in the Balkans, and the two men also reviewed a number of regional and international issues, state news agency Wam reported.

Both expressed their shared interest in continuing efforts to strengthen UAE-Serbia ties.

Sheikh Mohamed and his delegation were welcomed at Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport by Mr Vucic, with both leaders taking cover under umbrellas on a rainy day in the capital.

It was Sheikh Mohamed's first visit to Serbia since a comprehensive economic partnership agreement between the two nations came into force in May. It is hoped that bilateral trade between the Emirates and Serbia will contribute about $351 million to the UAE's GDP by 2031.

In Albania, Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Rama had reviewed the growing partnership between their countries and discussed efforts to advance relations in key sectors such as the economy, trade, renewable energy, food security and technology during high-level discussions.

Sheikh Mohamed set out his commitment to forging robust ties across the Balkans. He said Albania was an important partner for the Emirates.

Mr Rama spoke of his hopes that the visit would establish new avenues of co-operation after welcoming Sheikh Mohamed and his delegation at the Prime Minister's Office in Tirana.

The two men also exchanged views on a number of regional and international issues, emphasising the need to promote dialogue and diplomacy in resolving conflicts.

UAE leader given national honour

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  President Sheikh Mohamed is received by Aleksandar Vucic, President of Serbia, at Belgrade’s Nikola Tesla Airport. All photos: UAE Presidential Court

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  Sheikh Mohamed and his delegation are welcomed at the airport by the Serbian leader, after arriving in Belgrade from Albania

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  The UAE President is sheltered from the rain in Belgrade

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  President Sheikh Mohamed is received by Edi Rama, Prime Minister of Albania, on arriving at Tirana International Airport for a working visit

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  The UAE and Albanian flags are displayed during the arrival of President Sheikh Mohamed at Tirana International Airport

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  Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Rama during a reception at the Prime Minister's Office in Tirana

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  Sheikh Mohamed set out his commitment to forging robust ties across the Balkans

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  Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, attends a reception hosted by Mr Rama

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  Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs, and Sheikh Zayed bin Mohamed speak during a reception at the Prime Minister's Office in Tirana

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  Sheikh Abdullah, Sheikh Hamdan and Sheikh Zayed with Mr Rama

During the meeting, Mr Rama awarded Sheikh Mohamed the Benemerenti medal, the highest public honour conferred by the Prime Minister of Albania, in recognition of the President's pivotal role in strengthening UAE-Albanian relations.

The Prime Minister praised Sheikh Mohamed's commitment to bolstering bilateral ties, describing the award as a mark of his country's deep respect and appreciation for him.

Sheikh Mohamed's official delegation included Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs; Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs; Sheikh Zayed bin Mohamed; Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad, adviser to the UAE President; Ali Al Shamsi, Secretary General of the Supreme Council for National Security; Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology; Sheikh Shakhbout bin Nahyan, Minister of State; Dr Ahmed Al Mazrouei, chairman of the President’s Office for Strategic Affairs and chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Office; Faisal Al Bannai, adviser to the UAE President for Strategic Research and Advanced Technology Affairs; Lana Nusseibeh, Assistant of Minister of Foreign Affairs for Political Affairs; Khaldoon Al Mubarak, chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority; Dr Ali Al Dhaheri, UAE ambassador to the Hellenic Republic and non-resident ambassador to Albania; and Mohamed Alabbar, chairman of the board of directors of Eagle Hills.

The President's visits came after he concluded a state visit to Turkey on Wednesday, in which he issued a joint call for peace with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Sheikh Mohamed was received by Mr Erdogan at Turkey’s Presidential Palace and an official reception was hosted in his honour, state news agency Wam reported.