Today, Secretary of Defense Ash Carter met with Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to discuss the U.S.-UAE bilateral defense relationship. Secretary Carter emphasized the importance of the U.S.-UAE strategic partnership and reiterated both countries shared commitment to ensuring a stable and secure Middle East. Secretary Carter also lauded bilateral security cooperation and commended UAE's efforts to work with the United States to expand regional military collaboration. The meeting ended with a discussion of regional issues, including the Gulf Cooperation Council-led air campaign in Yemen, the counter Islamic State in the Levant (ISIL) coalition, and ongoing regional negotiations.