UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan has reiterated his call on the Iranian regime to reconsider its policies with regard to building friendly ties with its neighbors based on non-interference in their internal affairs.
In delivering a keynote address at the 46th Session of the Foreign Ministers Council of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Abdullah said: “Iran is also demanded to stop its efforts to destabilize the region by spreading chaos and fueling sectarian disputes and refrain from supporting groups that add fuel to conflict.”
Tehran should also “stop sponsoring, financing and arming terror militias and organizations which brazenly violate the United Nations Charter and other noble human values.”
Turning to issues concerning the OIC, the Foreign Minister said that “the economic and social deterioration is one of the daunting challenges facing its member states.”
He noted the “successful model” of the UAE, saying his country is “keen to adopt a foreign policy that includes development, humanitarian and cultural dimensions to assist Islamic countries and contribute in their efforts to deliver sustainable development goals.''
Sheikh Abdullah opened on Friday the two-day conference in the presence of OIC Secretary General Dr. Yousuf Al Othaimeen.
“The meeting convenes at a time when the world is witnessing a series of important regional and international transformations, which place us before a challenge to cope with them in order to meet aspirations of our peoples and preserve our national security,'' UAE’s Minister of Foreign Affairs said.
He reiterated his support for the Palestinian people in their quest to enjoy their legitimate rights, topped by their call for an independent state, with Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with the Arab Peace Initiative and international resolutions.
He described Islam as a religion of tolerance and peace that renounces extremism and terrorism.
He also called for “adopting necessary measures against all forms of terrorism and extremism through the media, including a study to form a mechanism to address these issues with resoluteness and to cease providing direct or indirect support to entities and individuals involved in terrorism and extremism and refrain from harboring them, offering them safe haven, financing or assisting them.''
