UAE, Germany ask Iran to de-escalate tension

The UAE and Germany on Wednesday expressed concern over growing tensions in the Arab Gulf region and called on Iran to refrain from any escalatory steps.

In a communique issued at the end of the visit of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, to Germany, both countries reaffirmed the urgency for all actors in the regions to refrain from actions that could escalate existing tensions. They stressed that respecting sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries is essential to guarantee regional security and stability.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Sheikh Mohamed held in-depth talks on the current situation in the Gulf and on increasing political, economic, humanitarian, and cultural cooperation between the two countries.

The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to fighting terrorism and violent extremism, in all its forms, at both regional and international levels. They viewed that terrorism and violent extremism are a threat to international peace and stability.

They called for a political solution in Yemen, taking into account the initiative of the Gulf Cooperation Council, the Yemeni National Dialogue Conference and all relevant resolutions of the United Nations Security Council, in particular Resolution 2216 which calls on the Houthis to refrain from any provocation or threats to neighbouring states.

The UAE and Germany, among the most important donors to the people of Yemen, pledged to effectively address the current humanitarian situation in the war-torn country.  The leaders reaffirmed their will to boost cooperation in the aviation sector, which would result in the purchase of hundreds of aircraft from manufacturers who have a presence in Germany, such as Airbus.