Several new ambassadors to the UAE were sworn in before Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid on Tuesday.
The Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai witnessed the oaths of diplomats from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Portugal, Chad, Turkmenistan, Sri Lanka and Ivory Coast.
Those taking the oath were Mohammed Al Sahlawi, the UAE Ambassador to Portugal; Ahmed Al Hamli, Ambassador to Turkmenistan; Rashid Al Shamsi, Ambassador to Chad; Ali Al Nuaimi, Ambassador to Cote d'Ivoire, Khaled Al Ameri, Ambassador to Sri Lanka; Matar Al Neyadi, Ambassador to Kuwait, and Sheikh Nahyan bin Saif bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Ambassador to Saudi Arabia.
In a physically-distanced ceremony at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohammed also received and approved the credentials of new foreign ambassadors. These included ambassadors Mudhafar Al Jubouri of Iraq, Muizz Binameem of Tunisia, Dhamika De Silva of Sri Lanka and Dr Ahmed Al Busaidi of Oman.
The ambassadors conveyed the greetings of their countries' leaders to President Sheikh Khalifa and Sheikh Mohammed.
During their speeches, they said they were keen to strengthen the relationship between their countries to serve their national interests.
Sheikh Mohammed welcomed them and wished them a good stay in the UAE, saying they would receive all necessary support to perform their duties.
"The interests of people are connected to their ambassadors, who are experts in the art of renewal, development and strengthening social and diplomatic relations," Sheikh Mohammed said.
The diplomats wore face masks and maintained an appropriate physical distance as part of Covid-19 safety measures.
Sheikh Mohammed was accompanied by Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior; Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs; and Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence; among other senior officials. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, attended the ceremony through video conferencing.
