国际英语新闻:Britain, UAE to further cooperation in bilateral ties, Middle East

LONDON, May 1 (Xinhua) -- British Prime Minister David Cameron and visiting President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) met in the Downing Street on Wednesday and agreed to "continue close engagement" on important global issues.

Cameron welcomed Sheikhd Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, the United Arab Emirates' head of state, and his delegation to No. 10 as part of the latter's state visit.

The two leaders agreed that the relations between the two countries had developed significantly over the past year, especially through building a deeper and substantive defense partnership and significant new commercial links, a Downing Street spokesperson said after the meeting.

"They discussed the action that the international community should take on the most pressing issues in the Gulf and wider region, including to address the challenge of Iran's nuclear program, to end the appalling and dangerous conflict in Syria, and to bring new momentum to the peace process between Israel and Palestine," the spokesperson said.

Britain's Foreign Secretary William Hague also met with UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan at the Foreign Office and signed new agreements.

During a wide-ranging and positive meeting, they discussed bilateral ties, trade and investment opportunities and foreign policy concerns, particularly Syria, Iran and Somalia, the Foreign Office said in a statement.

The foreign ministers signed new agreements on a National Qualifications Framework and established a Dialogue of Values where areas of common interest and concerns can be discussed.

"I am pleased that through agreements signed today we have a new forum to share ideas and foster a better understanding between our two countries across a range of issues, from human rights to shared security challenges," Hague said after the meeting.

"Our countries work closely on Afghanistan and Syria. We share deep concern about the escalating humanitarian crisis in Syria," Hague said.

The UAE foreign minister, meanwhile, said he and Hague "discussed how we can use this historic visit as a platform for further growth in bilateral relations."