Iranian Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Anwar Gargash, said that the Iranian behavior is a major concern for the countries of the region, stressing that the UAE is not seeking further escalation at this stage, but works to reduce tension and increase harmony.
In his opening speech to the sixth Abu Dhabi Strategic Forum, which kicked off this morning under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Gargash said: Iran intervenes in the affairs of some countries in the region and reconsider its nuclear program, because dialogue cannot be started without realizing these options. "
Gargash said he was optimistic that significant progress could be made over the next year in the Middle East. “We have reached critical junctures in major conflicts and challenges across our region from Yemen to Libya to Iran, so the next 12 months can be crucial,” he said.
He added: "We have another year of other challenges in the region are optimistic, as we have reached pivotal points in the conflicts in countries such as Yemen and Libya, and the next few days will be decisive and promising."
Gargash said in his speech at the two-day forum, organized by the Emirates Policy Center, under the title "The Old Power Rivalry in a New Era", that the UAE's ability to bring the world together and build understanding between different cultures was evident this year. From the reception of His Holiness Pope Francis II, the Vatican, on the first historic visit to the Arabian Peninsula, through the organization of the first Special Olympics for people of determination, the rise of the first Emirati and Arab astronauts to the International Space Station, in addition to the final preparations to host the Expo Dubai 2020 next year.
Gargash stressed that the empowerment of youth and women is a priority in the UAE's policy, noting that the Federal National Council will witness in its new session the presence of 50 percent of its members are women.
He stressed that the crises in the region, starting with the continued Iranian missile attacks on Saudi Arabia, the Turkish invasion of Syria, the ongoing threats from Israel to annex Palestinian territories, the conflicts in Iraq and Yemen and the developments in Lebanon, require careful management and wise political will to confront them, and calm and strict results. It is active diplomacy through principles-based cooperation, not subversive competition among the major powers.
Gargash said: "Dealing with Iran should not be the wrong choice through war, so we hope that there will be openness to the crisis by reducing Iran's interventions in some countries in the region and reconsidering its nuclear program. A dialogue cannot be started without realizing these options." He pointed out that the Gulf countries need to be a party to the negotiations, as well as the United States and the European Union, everyone needs to see the end of Iran's unacceptable missile attacks that contribute to undermine the political processes in the region, he said.
Regarding the developments in the Yemeni scene, Gargash said: "The situation in Yemen is promising and needs strong political will, which we saw from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and his brother Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud Their efforts to bring the Riyadh agreement to light, which confirms that the options before us are not in an endless conflict, or left the Yemeni people at the mercy of the Houthis, but the solution in a strong political situation.
He added: "After the redeployment of our forces in Aden, the priorities of the UAE in the Arab coalition will be to continue providing humanitarian assistance, combating terrorist threats and protecting maritime security. The UAE has provided $ 6 billion in aid to 17.2 million Yemenis in 22 governorates, considering the Yemeni issue as a priority. , Expressing our nation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Yemeni parties in the conclusion of the Riyadh agreement and his exit to light.
Regarding the Turkish dossier, Gargash said: "We cannot have a stable system if countries like Iran or Turkey feel they can intervene freely in other countries. Turkey now faces the danger of isolation in the Arab world, and the Arab world should not be treated as a geopolitical space to compete." The Turkish role in Syria undermines the political process in the region, and the Turkish invasion of northeastern Syria will continue its negative humanitarian, security and geopolitical effects to a great extent. "
On the developments in Sudan, he said: "The Sudanese situation is promising. The African Union, along with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, has played a vital role in helping Sudan from crossing the crisis through a peaceful transition away from President Bashir's repressive regime and a power-sharing arrangement that will lead to elections." And the appointment of a civilian government. "
`` Our intentions on the Sudanese issue are often misinterpreted in the media.Our interest in Sudan is not ideological.We focus only on helping them avoid a chaotic transition of power and create a system that responds better to the aspirations of the Sudanese people, as well as supporting regional stability. ''
He continued: "In our region, building a culture of respect for national sovereignty is closely linked to our efforts to address radical Islamic ideologies because in their nature, whether Sunni or Shiite, they do not recognize the legitimacy of national borders."