ABU DHABI, September 10, SPA -- Spanish Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates Manuel Pineiro Souto today hailed the UAE-Spanish bilateral relations which have been strong thanks to the wise leadership of President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Peirro made his remarks today during a visit to the UAE pavilion at the current Expo Zaragoza 2008, the UAE news agency "WAM" reported. He expressed admiration at the presentations given by the UAE pavilion to visitors on giant LCD screens showing the urban, environmental and agricultural progress being achieved by the country. The Spanish Ambassador stressed that the current talks between Spanish officials and UAE's Emirates Airline and Etihad Airways would result in launching a direct service between Dubai and Madrid in early 2009. --SPA www.spa.gov.sa/588970