PM Roosevelt Skerrit expresses grief on passing of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan

Prime Minister of Dominica Dr Roosevelt Skerrit sent condolences on the passing of Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan- the President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

In a post on Facebook, Prime Minister Skerrit stated that he is saddened to learn of the passing of "His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan,".

The Dominican Prime Minister stated that Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan was a transformational and visionary leader who guided his people and country to growth and prosperity. He also called him a true friend of Dominica. Dominica and the United Arab Emirates share a longstanding relationship.

"I express heartfelt condolences to the royal family and to the people of the UAE. May his soul rest in peace," Roosevelt Skerrit further added.

UAE's President Sheikh Khalifa passed away on Friday morning, aged 73; he will be now replaced by his half-brother, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed.

The government of the United Arab Emirates declared a 40 day mourning period, with all flags at half-mast from Friday and work suspended in all public and private sector places for the first three days.

Sheikh Khalifa succeeded his father as the 16th ruler of Abu Dhabi, the wealthiest of the federation's seven emirates, as the UAE's second president in November 2004.

[caption id="attachment_42337" align="aligncenter" width="581"] UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan[/caption] Dominica's new embassy in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, was opened on January 21, 2020. It was inaugurated by Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit and other important guests.

The ceremony was attended by Hubert Charles- Dominica's Ambassador to the UAE; Suhail Al Mazroui- Minister of Energy and Industry; and Saeed Abdullah Al Qamzi- Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation's Visits Affairs Department.

During the inauguration, Prime Minister Skerrit emphasised the importance of Dominica's diplomatic representation in the UAE and the development of closer connections between the two nations in his remarks. He had stressed that the new embassy's opening is the result of many of the island's economic citizens residing in the UAE as a result of the Citizenship by Investment Program, which grants second citizenship to well-known foreign investors.