Dubai, February 04: UAE Foreign Minister Shaikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan said on Thursday that what is happening in Egypt is “painful to us all”.
“Egypt is one of the most prominent countries in terms of history, civilisation, stability, weight and prestige. We hope that Egypt is proud of its fraternal and friendly countries and allies. In the years that followed the Camp David, both Egypt and the other Arab countries were enormously hit by the rupture between them. Years were painful for all of us and we regretted it,” said Shaikh Abdullah.
“What hurts men and women as well as the leadership in Egypt hurts us all, and our standing with Egypt is an urgent need. But our disapproval is of certain parties who might try to exploit the situation with external agenda. Some countries, who do not understand the region and Egypt, are trying to benefit from what happens to their own advantage”, Shaikh Abdullah said addressing a joint Press conference with Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari in Baghdad.
“We disapprove of the position of those countries and their short-sighted behaviour. I do not doubt that change is a norm of life. And we as nations need development, reform and improved systems that interact with the people. But the exploitation of the events in Egypt by some parties is disgusting, shameful and unfortunate,” Shaikh Abdullah said. He continued: “We wish Egypt all the good, stability and love, regardless of the type of its government. What concerns us is the stability of that country, and whoever is betting on the opposite of it is short-sighted and wrong, because Egypt will remain the pivot of stability of the regionand the Arab States”.
Speaking on the UAE’s participation at the coming Arab summit in Baghdad, Shaikh Abdullah said: ”UAE will be represented by the highest level possible in the Arab Summit as Arab summits are dear to UAE and its participation has always been powerful and active as they were on the highest levels. The convening of the summit in Baghdad makes its importance doubled”. Shaikh Abdullah expressed satisfaction on his talks with the Iraqi foreign minister on Thursday as well as on the fraternal relations between the two countries. He also announced the establishment of a Higher Ministerial Committee that will be chaired by the foreign ministers of both countries for activating and bolstering bilateral relations. Shaikh Abdullah also indicated that the idea of setting up an Emirati-Iraqi business council was discussed for enhancing cooperation in the economic, trade and investment fields.
–Agencies–