Ahmed Shabib Al Dhaheri, Secretary-General of the Federal National Council, FNC, on Monday, met a delegation from the Sri Lankan Ministry of Defence at the FNC Headquarters in Abu Dhabi, and discussed means of strengthening co-operation between the two countries.

Al Dhaheri started the meeting by welcoming the visiting delegation on behalf of Dr. Amal Abdullah Al Qubaisi, Speaker of the FNC, and the other members. He praised the bilateral relations between the friendly countries supported by the wise leadership.

He added that the UAE under the directive of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan is keen to develop collaboration with all brotherly and friendly countries, and extend the bridges of commercial, economic and investment co-operation for mutual benefit.

During the meeting, Al Dhaheri demonstrated the journey of parliamentary life in the UAE, the FNC’s accomplishments and activities, and its role in supporting development by following parliamentary legislatures.

He further clarified that the FNC’s journey has followed the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa, to translate the political programme he launched in 2005. It includes holding elections for half of the Council’s members in 2006, 2011, and 2015, and ensuring Emirati women’s participation as voters and members. The expansion of the electoral base enabled citizens to join the decision-making process, establish unity and strengthen communication and effective community participation.

Al Dhaheri pointed out that the empowering journey included women in the UAE being appointed in the highest positions. Today, they are partners in the building and development process as they have taken charge of several ministerial portfolios including the Minister of State for Tolerance, Minister of State for Youth Affairs, and Minister of State for Happiness. Women were also appointed as speakers of the FNC and they got the opportunity to represent the country as ambassadors.

The head of the visiting delegation praised the economic, community, cultural and urban development witnessed by the UAE, and its humanitarian stance in supporting poor countries, especially in development and humanitarian aid projects. Stressing the strong relations between the UAE and Sri Lanka, he expressed his hope to develop it further in all fields.

Source: Wam