UAE reiterates firm stance against terrorism and extremism

Tashkent - "The UAE has a profound belief in the values of justice and rule of law, and seeks to provide happiness for its citizens and residents."

The UAE has restated its opposition to terrorism, extremism and sectarianism, while stressing the need for using culture and media as part of strategies to combat terrorist ideologies.
"The UAE reiterates its firm stance against terrorism and extremism, as well as its commitment to adopting cultural, intellectual and media approaches, as a pillar of a strategy to combat terrorist ideology and curb extremist religious rhetoric," Dr. Maytha bint Salem Al Shamsi, UAE Minister of State, said while reading out the UAE's statement at the 43rd Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation (OIC) which concluded on Wednesday in the Uzbek capital, local news agency wam reported.
The Muslim World, she noted, is in dire circumstances, where terrorism and sectarianism are today a global plight seeking to undermine nation-states, rip the social fabric and peace in many regions, and threaten global security and peace. "It is clear that the sovereignty, security and stability of states, as well as their efforts to increase the welfare for their peoples, are being threatened by looming dangers."
She cited the establishment of the Hedayah Centre to Counter Violent Extremism and the Sawab Centre, a joint UAE-United States initiative to counter the Daesh (ISIL) terrorist organisation on the Internet, among efforts being exerted by the UAE to protect its youth from being radicalised into violent extremism.
"The UAE has a profound belief in the values of justice and rule of law, and seeks to provide happiness for its citizens and residents. This belief is being translated into realistic polices based on our strong conviction that real development is not confined to the economic sphere but, first and foremost, necessitates investment in man, development of education, as well as the promotion of the values of tolerance and acceptance of others," Minister Al Shamsi said.
Women's empowerment
She cited women's empowerment as one of the UAE's core policies that are "based on a strong belief in their pioneering role in society and effective contribution to preparing future generations."
Slamming the current solutions based on crisis management as being ineffective, the UAE minister noted, "Our joint efforts and the international community's endeavours should all be focussed on finding effective solutions to conflicts. The Organisation of Islamic Co-operation should play a more effective role and make further efforts to contain crises and tensions."
Speaking about the UAE's positions on regional issues, she stressed the UAE's inalienable right to, and sovereignty on the three islands of Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa, now occupied by Iran.
Syrian crisis
She also regretted the inaction of the international community to carry out its duty and save the Syrian people from the continuous killing, in which no political solution is in sight.
The UAE minister further stressed the need for serious action to empower the legitimate Yemeni government to complete a political transition that will save the sovereignty and independence of Yemen.
She reiterated the UAE's condemnation of, and grave concern over, the rebel Houthi group's assaults on ships in international waters which "aims to exacerbate the situation in the region and in Yemen, in particular."
Somalia
On Somalia, she reiterated UAE's commitment to providing economic, development and humanitarian support to the government's efforts to build a better future and establish security and stability.
"Finding a peaceful solution in the Middle East is vital for countering tensions in this region," the UAE minister said, while noting that this requires the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Arab and Palestinian territories it had occupied in 1967, to the pre-1967 borders, and the right of Palestinians to have an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The UAE, she said, backs a peaceful settlement that is based on the relevant United Nations resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative, endorsed by the Arab League in 2002.
Minister Al Shamsi headed the UAE delegation which included UAE Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Mohammed Saeed Al Dhaheri among other officials and dignitaries.

• MENA