Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Anwar bin Mohammed Gargash, said on Monday that Emirati leadership has consistently taken appropriate and timely steps to tackle the Coronavirus pandemic, thereby protecting health and safety of the communities, and also mitigating the impact on economy. He noted that UAE has supported over 118 countries by providing medical supplies, and hence benefiting over 1.5 million healthcare workers across the nations.

Dr. Gargash also noted that UAE has always maintained that political stands must not be taken into account when extending humanitarian aid. Following this, UAE did not step back from helping Iran.

In a speech during the 7^th Abu Dhabi Strategic Debate, which was organized virtually by the Emirates Policy Centre, the Minster said that as the UAE is approaching its 50^th anniversary, the country continues to innovate, break new ground and prepare for the future.

He pointed out that all of this year’s most significant technological developments and political development in the Arab world, occurred in the UAE. This included launch of the Emirates Hope Probe to Mars, UAE becoming the first Arab nation to start operation of a peaceful nuclear power plant; and historical signing of the Abraham Accords with Israel.

Gargash further stressed that the UAE will work as per its long-standing commitment to multilateralism, anti-extremism, respect for national sovereignty, peaceful resolution of conflict, good governance and sustainable development. He added that being a candidate for a non-permanent UN Security Council seat in 2022-23, the UAE plans on using the opportunity to help reinforce confidence in the multilateral system, citing UN Charter’s principle.

On regional affairs, Dr. Gargash pointed that Iran and Turkey have been using foreign interference in the region as tool to advance their own agendas. He further said that Yemen and Iranian backed militias continue to have flow of Iranian arms, thereby undermining peace and security of many Arab nations. Gargash said that Turkey has bolstered Islamist forces in Libya and has increased the risk that political vacuum be exploited by the militia in the region. He affirmed that the UAE will not accept Iran and Turkey’s destabilizing policies, but rejects any confrontation, saying that the UAE always works with friends and allies, and encourages constructive dialogue and positive diplomatic engagement. Gargash said that UAE will continue its support to Yemen, and also will support for the Arab Coalition to seek a comprehensive ceasefire for a lasting political solution.

He also confirmed UAE’s supporting the UN-led efforts in Libya and recent agreement on a permanent ceasefire, along with launch of the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum. Dr. Gargash said that the UAE views the recent atrocious violent acts Europe with profound concern, reiterating that these extremist ideological movements do not represent Islam.

Regarding the Emirati-Israeli peace treaty, Dr. Gargash said it was a sovereign national decision. He said, “Instead, it was a decision born out of tolerance and openness, and a desire to reduce polarisation in the region. It was a decision born out of a desire for a much-needed strategic shift and a new pragmatic vision. And it was a decision that required real courage from our leadership: maintaining the status quo was clearly the easier option, but it would not have offered better prospects for anyone.”

He added, “The UAE-Israel peace accord does not diminish in any way our concern about the plight of the Palestinian people. The UAE continues to see it as imperative that a just and comprehensive peace is reached. But ultimately the Palestinians and Israelis are the ones who will need to decide on the shape of that peace. The UAE stands ready to support that in any way it can.”

Gargash congratulated US President-elect, Joe Biden for winning Presidential elections. He said that the UAE looks forward to work with the new administration to strengthen the UAE-US relationships. He said, “The US engagement and leadership remains irreplaceable in the Middle East and the Abrahamic Accords also reflect a bipartisan consensus in the US as they were facilitated by President Trump’s administration and supported by the President-Elect, Joe Biden.”

Dr. Ebtesam Al Ketbi, President of Emirates Policy Centre, in the opening remarks said that the year 2020 has exposed new fault-lines, made new relationships, and also developed new potentials. The Covid-19 pandemic, the US presidential election, and the signing of the UAE-Israeli treaty are few events that have created new dynamics which can be decisive in shaping future regionally and globally.

Dr. Al Ketbi said that due to decline of the unipolar world, there has been power competition geopolitically. He said, “The US latest elections have been further evidence that the whole world is affected by the internal shifts in the US even though these polls highlighted the acute polarisation and ideological and ethnic divisions inside the US community.”

Elsewhere, Dr. Al Ketbi said that the UAE has realized that it has to form a position based on political rationality to find a regional solution. Working on this, UAE has decided to present a new model for building bridges among regional powers, which led to the conclusion of the Abraham Accord eventually.

EPC President explained, “The Abraham Accords and the Emirati-Israeli peace treaty have been decisive evidence that resilience and vitality are key elements of response to challenges. In order to overcome these challenges/crises and resolve intractable conflicts in Middle Eastern countries and societies, there is a need for an innovative, brave, political and moral vision that contributes to peace-building, stability and hope for the people in the region.”

This year’s ADSD will be held virtually over three days and will comprise of eight discussion panels, and will be participated by more than 20 strategic experts, researchers and policy -makers from all over the world.

WAM