Gulf News, Sunday, August 30, 2015

UAE, Germany strengthen peace efforts

Abdullah Bin Zayed and German counterpart discuss bilateral relations, regional developments
Berlin: Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister, and Frank-Walter Steinmeier, German Foreign Minister, met in Berlin to reinforce the importance of supporting regional and international peace, security and stability efforts in the region to confront current challenges, particularly terrorism, and address the emergence of organisations seeking to impose themselves as an alternative to state and national legitimacy.

Shaikh Abdullah said he hopes the future will witness more cooperation in various sectors, to better serve future ambitions, especially in the areas of development of economy, investment and energy.

The two ministers also discussed joint efforts between the UAE and Germany in Afghanistan, especially in the military, security, economic, development and humanitarian fields. During the meeting both parties reviewed a number of issues of common concern in several areas, including coordination and consultation on a number of regional issues, particularly the Arab coalition initiative, Operation Restoring Hope, for security and stability in Yemen.

Shaikh Abdullah praised the role of Saudi Arabia in the leadership of the coalition.

Shaikh Abdullah commended the insightful outlook of King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia in dealing with the situation in Yemen as required by the circumstances to defend the people of Yemen and to ensure the border security of Saudi Arabia. He re-affirmed this is a continuation of the firm stance of Saudi Arabia to support the brotherly people of Yemen, adding that Saudi Arabia has always sought and continues to make a great effort to ensure the stability of Yemen on both political and economic levels, to achieve the aspirations of the people of Yemen and their security, stability and sustainable development in all aspects of life.

Shaikh Abdullah noted the relief and humanitarian role played by the UAE and Saudi Arabia which have been sending several aircraft and ships loaded with relief materials and medical supplies to Aden immediately after the announcement of the liberalisation of Aden.

Shaikh Abdullah and Steinmeier reviewed the latest developments in Syria and Libya, stressing the importance of efforts by the UN special envoy to Libya, Bernardino Leon, in addition to the importance of supporting the Libyan dialogue to form a “government of national concord” to achieve stability, to meet the aspirations of the Libyan people and to safeguard the country’s territorial unity.

The German Foreign Minister re-affirmed the importance of the strong relations between his country and the UAE, stressing the keenness of the two countries on the development of mechanisms for joint action in various political, economic and investment aspects.