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Abu Dhabi: The UAE on Wednesday reiterated its strong opposition to the proliferation of nuclear weapons in the region and stressed its support for the establishment of a weapons of mass destruction (WMD)-free zone, within the guidelines of the Non Proliferation Treaty.
"Our commitment to openness and transparency is perhaps best exemplified by our nuclear energy programme," Dr Anwar Mohammad Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, said at the two-day Nato-GCC seminar on the Middle East and Global Challenges here yesterday.
"Under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), we have developed the basic framework for the development of a peaceful nuclear energy programme and we are committed to full transparency in this process," he added.
Dr Gargash urged other countries to do the same for the sake of a global non-proliferation regime.
He told the opening session that discussions between the two parties [NATO and GCC] were critical for improving "our dialogue and cooperation as the Gulf and the Middle East are of strategic importance globally - not just for the world's economy and energy supply, but also from a security perspective."
Nato offered security cooperation to countries of the broader Middle East region as part of the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI), which was launched by Nato in June 2004.
'Constructive partner'
"The Istanbul Cooperation Initiative and its menu of interests are important to the UAE. The region has responded positively to Nato's activities and the UAE will continue to be an active and constructive partner with the ICI." Dr Gargash outlined the UAE's foreign policy on various issues.
He said Iran continued to impact regional security. "The Iranian occupation of three of our islands of Abu Mousa and the Greater and Lesser Tunbs remains an issue of great concern to the UAE. We seek peaceful solution to this through international arbitration and bilateral dialogue.
Dr Gargash said the UAE continued to monitor, with concern, Iran's ongoing pursuit of a nuclear programme. "Iran's geo-political and strategic expansion in the area, in addition to its opaque nuclear programme, is a cause of grave concern for regional security."
On the Arab-Israeli conflict, Dr Gragash said it must be resolved within the framework of the Middle East peace process and the Annapolis understanding. "Pressures should be exerted on Tel Aviv to revive negotiations, lift its siege of the Palestinian people and reverse Israeli activities on seized Palestinian territory," he said.
War on terror
Regarding the war on terror, he said the UAE joined the international community in strongly condemning all acts of terrorism in the region and beyond.
"Apart from extending full cooperation in combating terrorism, money laundering, drug smuggling and human trafficking, the UAE has also worked domestically in improving our own national curriculum to ensure we win the hearts of the people in our country and beyond."
On Afghanistan, Dr Gargash said: "In addition to maintaining a peace-keeping force there, the UAE is also fully engaged in humanitarian work ... and has pledged $250 million (Dh919.5 million) for reconstruction projects in Afghanistan."
Positive: Iraq high on priority
Dr Anwar Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, said Iraq remained an area of concern and that the UAE had worked consistently towards national dialogue and reconciliation in Iraq.
"The UAE sees Iraq as playing a prominent role in the Arab region and we are spearheading this perspective. A unified and stable Iraq will play a fundamental role in regional stability and to this end, we have opened an embassy in Baghdad, named an envoy there and waived Iraq's debt of nearly $7 billion (Dh25.74 million)," he said.
Dr Gargash hoped writing off the debt would help alleviate the economic burdens on the Iraqi people and help the Iraqi government implement reconstruction plans and rehabilitate institutions and facilities.
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