DUBAI, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- The United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Friday sent a congratulating message to his Armenian counterpart, Armen Sarkissian, on the country's Independence Day, local news reported.

According to UAE government news agency WAM, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the vice president, prime minister and ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, crown prince of Abu Dhabi and deputy supreme commander of the UAE Armed Forces, also sent similar messages to Sarkissian.

Amenia officially declared its independence from the former Soviet Union on Sept. 21, 1991.?