Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed receives call from Angela Merkel

The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and German Chancellor discuss ways to increase bilateral relations

 Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, stands for a photograph with Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany, after delivering a joint speech during his visit to Berlin in June. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs 

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed spoke with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on the phone on Monday.

The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and Mrs Merkel discussed ways to increase relations between the UAE and Germany.

The pair also exchanged views over the latest regional and international developments, reported state news agency Wam.

Sheikh Mohamed last spoke to Mrs Merkel in August when she called ahead of the 45th G7 summit in Biarritz, France.

At the time they discussed matters of global and regional interest and the spoke of the importance of prioritising dialogue and mutual understanding when addressing the challenges besetting a number of regions worldwide.

Sheikh Mohamed made an official visit to Germany in June, when he was greeted by Mrs Merkel.

The two-day trip to Berlin highlighted the 15-year strategic partnership between the two countries.

At the time Mrs Merkel said the ties went far beyond strong economic links and the one million Germans that visited the UAE every year. She said the Year of Tolerance and the visit of Pope Francis to Abu Dhabi in February was a demonstration of the country's wider influence.