Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research attended yesterday a reception hosted by Australian Ambassador to UAE, Pablo Kang on the occasion of his country's National Day at 'Hiltonia Beach Club' in Abu Dhabi. Abdullah Ahmed Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Saeed Mohammad Al Shamsi, Assistant Foreign Minister for International Organisations Affairs, and a number of officials, heads of Arab and Foreign diplomatic missions accredited to the UAE also attended the event. Addressing the audience, the Australian ambassador hailed the Australian-Emirati relations, adding that the bilateral relations between the two countries have witnessed considerable development in the past years especially since the opening of the Australian embassy in Abu Dhabi in 1999, relations progressed into advanced levels reaching currently to a strategic partnership. He pointed out the sectors who witnessed significant growth in defense, security, aviation, health and education. He said that Australia has become an important destination for investment, tourism and higher education for Emiratis, where thousand of students are studying in Australian universities. Similarly 16000 Australians are living and working in UAE. According to him the number of flights from UAE to Australia have reached to 126 weekly and trade exchange volume surged to six billion dollars. He pointed that the two countries seek further mutual cooperation through the visits of key UAE officials and particularly the visits of H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister in 2010 and 2011, Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri, Minister of Economy and Sheikha Lubna Bint Khalid Al Qasimi, Minister of Foreign Trade to Australia. Similarly, from the Australian side, Prime Minister Julia Gillard, ministers and officials had paid visits to the UAE, which embodies the strong relations between UAE and Australia.