The assurances by Anders Fogh Rasmussen at a press conference on Thursday at Emirates Palace Hotel follow the signing of a treaty between NATO and the UAE. “The agreement was signed to deepen cooperation on security matters,” said Fogh Rasmussen.

Foreign Minister Shaikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan said the deal would also solidify relations between GCC countries.

“There is another angle to view it that we agree with the GCC countries on security and safety of each other and sound cooperation,” he said. “So, in case anything happens, we would collectively defend it.”

Responding to a question on whether Iran was a threat to the region, Shaikh Abdullah said the possible development of Iranian nuclear weapons was a “concern” for GCC countries.

“Iran is an important business and cultural partner of the UAE and we have good relations with them,” he said.

But the development of nuclear weapons is (a) matter of concern for the entire Middle East and the GCC region, so Iran needs to clarify its position on its development.

“Another thing which has saddened us is the occupation of the UAE islands. If Iran fails to solve the Islands matter through true discussion and fruitful dialogues, the UAE will approach the International Court of Justice to intervene in the deadlock.”

In the past, Iran had extended financial support to some unidentified organisations which negatively affected the peace process in the region, Shaikh Abdullah said. “That issue needed to be addressed.”

Rasmussen said Iran needed to comply with international norms. “NATO is not directly engaged with Iran’s nuclear programmes, we are concerned if it acquires it. Iran must need to comply with the international codes for their nuclear programmes and cooperate with them,” he said.

anwar@khaleejtimes.com