US President Joe Biden congratulated on Saturday his “long-time friend” Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on his election as President of the United Arab Emirates.

“The United States is determined to honor the memory of the late president Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan by continuing to strengthen the strategic partnership between our countries over the coming months and years,” Biden said in a statement.

“The UAE is an essential partner of the United States,” he said, adding that he looked forward to working with Sheikh Mohammed “to build from this extraordinary foundation to further strengthen the bonds between our countries and peoples.”

Vice President Kamala Harris will head a US delegation to the UAE on Monday to offer condolences following Sheikh Khalifa’s death and will meet with the new President, Press Secretary Kirsten Allen said.