UAE reiterates its foreign policy commitments

Abu Dhabi, Oct 8 (IANS) The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has reiterated its foreign policy commitment to building bridges and partnerships around the world, promoting dialogue and providing aid to less fortunate countries.

Speaking at the opening session of the two-day seminar on 'The Middle East and Global Challenges' here Wednesday, UAE Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs Anwar Gargash said the UAE's policies are based on development, stability and tolerance.

'To understand the UAE, one must understand our traditions and policies which are based on development, stability and tolerance,' the state-run Emirates News Agency (WAM) quoted Gargash as saying.

'The UAE's foreign policy has always emphasised the route of diplomacy, negotiation and compassion,' he added.

The seminar is being organised by North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) Parliamentary Assembly's Mediterranean and Middle East Special Group in cooperation of the UAE Ministry of Federal National Council Affairs (UAE MFNCA).

Parliamentarians from 15 Nato countries are interacting with legislators from Middle Eastern and North African countries at the seminar, which is aimed at creating a common understanding between Nato countries and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and addressing the global challenges faced by the Middle East.

In his speech, Gargash also reiterated the UAE's resolve to secure peace and stability in Afghanistan, Iraq and the wider Middle East, its condemnation of all acts of terrorism and its commitment to openness and transparency.

Nato Parliamentary Assembly president Jose Lello said the seminar would contribute to stronger ties between the Nato countries and the Gulf region.

'Our relations with this region have great potential for showing how our respective security perceptions converge, and for providing a parliamentary complement to Nato's initiatives,' he said.

'I hope that this seminar in Abu Dhabi will allow us to bring our discussions beyond the scope of Nato's agenda and to explore the perspectives of political reform in the Middle East, as well as the potential of inter-cultural dialogue.'

Wednesday's session focused on political reforms in the Middle East and the Gulf's role in the global energy security challenge.

On Thursday, the seminar will look at Gulf security perceptions and the role of Nato, as well as on initiatives and obstacles in the area of inter-cultural dialogue.

Over 50 parliamentarians, officials from international organizations and representatives from governments, academia, civil society and the media have gathered here for the event.