UAE Embassy in Washington marks National Day

The US honoured the UAE's 40th National Day last week at the UAE embassy in Washington.

Yousef Al Otaiba, right, the UAE Ambassador to the US, greets guests during the National Day event at the United States Institute for Peace in Washington, DC. Andrew Council for The National

WASHINGTON // The UAE's 40th anniversary was marked in Washington with a reception hosted by the UAE Embassy at the new headquarters of the United States Institute for Peace.

The ambassador, Yousef Al Otaiba, welcomed 500 guests on Thursday that included senior officials from the US administration, members of the US congress and ambassadors from across the Arab world.

The US was the third nation in the world to recognise the federation of the United Arab Emirates. Mr Otaiba said US-UAE relations had a special significance, and cooperation between the two had continued to expand across a whole spectrum, from defence and security to education and health care.

"Forty years on, Sheikh Zayed's legacy of a strong and open UAE federation committed to peace at home and in the region continues," Mr Otaiba said, referring to the vision of Sheikh Zayed, the founding President. "And in this we share common purpose with the United States."

Mr Otaiba added, in a nod to the venue of the celebration, that the UAE is also the first non-western country among the top five leading per capita donors of foreign aid. "Throughout our region and around the world, the UAE has been - and will continue to be - committed to the hard work of peacemaking and the never-ending mission of humanitarian assistance," he said.

In a statement released by the US state department on Friday, Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of state, also noted the "long history of friendship and cooperation" between the US and the UAE.

"Our two countries are working together to promote peace and security, support economic growth and improve educational opportunities in the region and around the world," said Mrs Clinton.