UAE eager to build bridges with all neighbouring nations: Gargash

For the UAE, disputes must be resolved diplomatically — not through fighting — and so its foreign policy focuses on building bridges and partnerships, said Dr Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE President.

Speaking at the second Majlis Mohamed Bin Zayed Ramadan on Wednesday, Dr Gargash underscored the UAE’s keenness on creating bridges of dialogue with all its neighbouring countries — including Iran — and its pledge to do them no harm.

“(The country) will always resort to diplomacy, negotiation, and economic cooperation,” he said.

Security and stability are closely related to the change in the world, Dr Gargash said. “Under the current changes in the region, it is necessary to manage matters peacefully with countries that have different policies and views, by working on the common grounds and putting differences aside.

“For example, Iran is a neighbour and therefore, we endeavour to establish the best relations with it. We see that Turkey is a partner in our joint endeavour to prosperity and we continue to support the prospects of the Abraham Accords.”

Stability in a region such as ours, which has been facing frequent crises and conflicts, represents a major challenge, he added. “This imposes many responsibilities on our country, and it is important to pass through these difficult times. Therefore, we must examine the transformations and changes carefully in the global scene, considering that the national interest is the overriding priority.”

UAE benefits from openness

Dr Gargash said the UAE is an Arab and Muslim country with well-established traditions, but it has benefitted greatly from globalisation as it adopted a model that combines values and openness.

“It is, therefore, necessary to continue in this direction, which has achieved great success,” he said, adding that over the past 30 years, the UAE has managed to establish advanced economic and development standards in the region.

“The UAE was one of the first oil-producing countries that began the process of diversifying sources of income and moving away from the rentier state model. It continues to lead, and the strategic nuclear and space projects are evidence of that. Strengthening its economic weight is the next stage,” he said.

ismail@khaleejtimes.com

• Abu Dhabi