UAE expresses concern about instability in region

The UAE has expressed deep concern about unfolding events triggered by the sectarianism and terrorist acts, said UAE senior official, while addressing the 41st session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which concluded in Jeddah on Thursday.

Abdullah bin Mohammed Saeed Ghobash, Minister of State and head of the UA. delegation to the session underlined that the UAE always sticks to the rules of tolerance, non-violence, recognition of others and respect for human rights. It has been working harder to spread the culture of moderation, tolerance, spirit of love and peace, adding that the UAE  exerts efforts to fight terrorism, extremism and religious intolerance and excessive hatred.

"The fundamentals of the UAE's foreign policy are based on the obligation of belonging to the (GCC), the Arab and Muslim world, commitment to strengthen and expand the scope of friendship with all countries of the world, observance of good neighbourliness, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-interference in its internal affairs, resolution of conflicts through peaceful means, commitment to the Charter of the United Nations and international conventions and the rules and provisions of international law."

"Based on these principles, and in order to preserve the security and stability of the GCC, the UAE  government reiterates its regret over continuous Iranian occupation to the three islands of Greater and Lesser Tunbs and Abu Mousa, and calls for the restoration of its full sovereignty over the islands. We emphasise that all actions and measures taken by Iran are vain and contrary to the international law. We urge Iran to respond to the repetitive peaceful and sincere calls of the UAE for a just settlement of this issue either through direct negotiations between the two countries or resorting to the International Court of Justice to settle the dispute in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter and the provisions of international law," he said.

The UAE Minister pointed out that the latest developments have led to widespread fear about the fate of national state, shaking of its foundations, undermining of its economy and infrastructure, adding that the status quo threatens to plunge youth of the region into an endless cycle of extremism, violence and despair given lack of opportunities and fear of the future.

He added that the UAE has met its commitment to continue sending the relief aid to the Syrian people, calling for concerted regional and international efforts to provide humanitarian needs to the displaced Syrians to ease their suffering.

Regarding the Palestine issue, he said peace would not be attained unless through withdrawal of Israel from all occupied Palestinian territories since 1967, including Eastern Jerusalem, the Golan Heights and occupied territory in Southern Lebanon, as well as setting up of a viable independent Palestinian state. 

Ghobash said the UAE backs the peaceful settlement based on the legitimate international resolutions and the Arab peace initiative.

He added, "We look with satisfaction to the positive developments in the Arab Republic of Egypt given our faith in the pivotal role of Egypt in the security and stability of the Arab region and the world. We applaud the leadership and people of Egypt for the successes in the implementation of future map, which resulted in election of Abdel Fattah al-Size, as President of the Arab Republic of Egypt to continue to the path of democracy based on contribution of all spectrums of society under the policy of moderation, renunciation of violence and counter-terrorism and non-use of religion as a means of exclusion, classification and rejection of sectarianism and hatred."

Ghobash said the UAE backs Egypt's leadership and people at this critical stage to consolidate stability, development and civil constitutional rule, calling on all OIC member states to provide all kinds of support and assistance to the Egyptian leadership. 

He denounced violence in Mali, Central African Republic and Islamphobia in non-Muslim countries.
 

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