Dubai: Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, affirmed that no one will be able to destroy what the UAE has built or undermine its national spirit, stressing that the country has proven its ability to overcome challenges, and that the UAE’s true strength lies in its leadership, its people, and those residing on its land.
Al Kaabi said during her participation in the ‘Ambition of a Nation’ podcast on the Lana platform that the Iranian targeting of the UAE aroused feelings of “betrayal and anger,” especially since most of the targeted sites were civilian, and the UAE did not issue any provocation that justified those attacks.
She explained that the UAE, despite what it has been subjected to, has kept communication channels with Iran open, based on the importance of diplomatic dialogue, even in the most difficult circumstances, stressing the need to obtain guarantees that prevent a recurrence of what happened.
Al Kaabi added that the wisdom of the UAE leadership contributed to the continuation of communication with Tehran, noting that Iran is a neighbouring country, only about 100km away from the UAE, in addition to the extensive trade relations between the two countries, and the presence of a large Iranian community in the country.
Speaking about the lessons revealed by recent events, Al Kaabi stressed that the crises have shown the true nature of international relations, saying: “A friend is not only your friend in times of prosperity, but a friend is the one who stands with you in difficult times,” explaining that true friendship does not require unity of culture, religion or language, but rather transcends these differences.
She stressed that the UAE, despite its limited geographical area, is aware of its position and the extent of its ambitions, noting that the phrase “We will emerge stronger,” which people repeated during the crisis, has become a slogan that reflects the country’s resilience and its ability to recover.
She cited videos posted by UAE residents celebrating the return of traffic congestion to Dubai's streets, arguing that these scenes express the true spirit of the UAE community and the extent to which its residents are attached to the life they are accustomed to.
She affirmed that life in the UAE is regaining its momentum, that the country's skies are clear and air traffic is ongoing, noting that what makes the UAE special is not its size, but the people who live on its land.
In an indication of the country’s continued recovery and hosting of global events, Al Kaabi pointed to preparations for the opening of the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Museum next December, in addition to hosting the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which has sold out completely, despite the cancellation of races in some neighbouring countries.
She expressed her delight at the continuation of these events, stressing that the return of activity to various sectors reflects the UAE’s ability to overcome challenges and move forward with confidence.