Abdullah bin Zayed heads UAE delegation in Egypt – Update

CAIRO, H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, has chaired the third meeting on political consultations between the UAE and Egypt. The meeting was held on Sunday as part of Sheikh Abdullah’s official visit to the country.

During the meeting, attendees reviewed bilateral ties between the two countries, as well as means of boosting them in various sectors including commercial, consular, trade and investment, and cultural exchange.

The two sides also discussed current regional and international developments, and also exchanged views on issues of mutual concern including the situation in Yemen, Libya, Syria and Iraq.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed emphasised the strength of bilateral relations between the two countries, while praising the level of coordination with Egypt in addressing the challenges and risks facing the region, especially terrorism.

Egypt’s Foreign Minister, Sameh Shukry, welcomed Sheikh Abdullah’s visit, adding that such visits help enhance mutual cooperation between the two nations. He went on to say that the UAE and Egypt enjoy the support and patronage of the leaderships of the two countries, adding that said support aids in developing ties further.

The meeting was attended by Zaki Nusseibeh, Minister of State, Juma Mubarak Al Junaibi, UAE Ambassador to Egypt, and Abdullah Matar Al Mazrouei, Director of the Arab Affairs Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

The first session of the UAE-Egypt Economic Committee was held on the sidelines of Sheikh Abdullah’s visit to Egypt. The Committee meeting was co-chaired by Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri, Minister of Economy, and Tareq Qabeel, Egypt’s Minister of Trade and Industry Minister.

In a related development, Sheikh Abdullah held a joint news conference with his Egyptian counterpart where he hailed the privileged relations between the two countries across all fields. He doubled as well on the robust relations binding UAE, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, noting that the strong ties binding the three countries are conducive to providing ample and diverse prospects for the region’s peoples.

“Egypt has already recovered from a crisis that was not hard for Egyptians only, but for all those who love Egypt as well, including the UAE. We now see Egypt getting back to assume its original role in supporting stability in the Arab region,” Sheikh Abdullah said, noting that the challenges faced by the UAE and Egypt are not confined to the Arab scene only, but rather include those coming from Iran, Israel and Turkey.

” We are determined to continue to stand up to these challenges with all firmness and we will utilise the mutual trust existing between our peoples and their leadership.”

Sheikh Abdullah termed the situation in Syria as ‘extremely complicated and grave’. “The Arab states which are now members of the UN Security Council have to shoulder their responsibility and play a stronger role in protecting the Syrian people and find a way to revive the prospects of a political solution to the situation there,” he noted.

” Any party trying to use military power to reach a settlement in Syria can never succeed. The whole situation should be left for the Syrians themselves to sort it out and there should be no place for all those militias who have entered the Syrian territories and are supported by other parties and countries, ” he added, pointing fingers of accusation to the Iranian and Turkish interferences into the internal affairs of Syria.

On the situation in Gaza, Sheikh Abdullah said the UAE is condemning in the strongest terms the attack perpetrated against the Palestinian prime minister. “Such attempts will not withhold us from continuing our efforts in support of our brothers in Gaza. However, the whole situation needs more international efforts to be made to bring the Palestinian reconciliation process back on track. And we in this regard commend the role played by Egypt,” said Sheikh Abdullah, affirming the UAE’s support for all the good offices made by Egypt to encourage all Palestinian parties to reach a reconciliation and ensure a stronger Palestinian stance in the face of the continued Israeli aggressions.

Sheikh Abdullah reiterated the importance of restoring the Arab clout in order not to have a vacuum of power any more in Libya, Syria and Yemen.

He expressed optimism over the situation in Iraq and expressed hope that Somalia would recover.

The top diplomat added that the UAE will continue its support for Egypt and Saudi Arabia in shouldering their historical responsibility toward stability in the region.

“We are now beset with challenges and in the same time we have opportunities that should be utilised to survive the current headwinds, which include the spread of extremism, terrorism, hatred and brainwashing,” said Sheikh Abdullah noting that “Qatar unfortunately is considered among the platforms that feed these (challenges).”

“If Qatar is willing to alter its approach, we all will be welcoming its return to the Arab fold. But if it insists to continue the same approach, I don’t think there is any room for us to change our current policy and this is what we have all agreed upon.”

“Today we are facing alarming challenges and we have to work for protecting our peoples from the hate rhetoric and incitement and continue to spread the real message of Islam that is based on moderation and balance.”

Source: Emirates News Agency