Ethiopia's prime minister arrives in Abu Dhabi

Abiy Ahmed landed in the UAE capital on Wednesday ahead of talks with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Abiy Ahmed, Prime Minister of Ethiopia, tour the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019 at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. All photos by Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and Mr Ahmed tour the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019 at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. Seen with Khalfan Al Mazrouei, Managing Director at Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019, second right, and Mohamed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, Undersecretary of the Crown Prince Court of Abu Dhabi, left.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed presents a medal to an athlete.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and Mr Ahmed tour the Special Olympics World Games, Abu Dhabi 2019.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed tours the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019.

Mr Ahmed greets an athlete during the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019 as Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed looks on.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed presents a medal to an athlete during the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and Mr Ahmed stand for a photograph with Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019 athletes.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and Mr Ahmed tour the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and Mr Ahmed tour the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019.

Mr Ahmed presents a medal to an athlete.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Tahnoon bin Mohamed Al Nahyan, Director of the Martyrs' Families' Affairs Office of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Court, left, greets Mr Ahmed during the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019 as Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed looks on.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and Mr Ahmed tour the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed tours the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and Mr Ahmed tour the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and Mr Ahmed tour the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019.

Abiy Ahmed, Prime Minister of Ethiopia, arrived in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday on a state visit.

Mr Abiy landed at Al Bateen Airport, where he was received by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

The pair discussed enhancing bilateral ties and a number of regional and international issues, in a meeting attended by Dr Anwar Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.

Mr Abiy and Sheikh Mohamed then went to the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre to visit some of the athletes competing in the Special Olympic World Games.

"I was touched by the enthusiasm and joy of the athletes at the Special Olympics Abu Dhabi 2019," Sheikh Mohamed said.

"It’s exhilarating for me and my dear friend, the Ethiopian Prime Minister, to meet people of determination. We’re so proud of them and their families."

The Ethiopian premier is on a tour of the region and most recently visited Qatar, where he met with emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad.

Mr Abiy last visited the Emirates in July, when he and his former rival Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki were honoured with the UAE’s highest civil honour.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed conferred the Order of Zayed on both leaders at the Presidential Palace.

Ethiopia and Eritrea re-established diplomatic relations in July and signed a declaration of peace and friendship in the Eritrean capital Asmara.

The UAE has supported efforts to forge peaceful relations between the countries.