UAE FNC Speaker, Kazakh Senate Chairman discuss relations

ASTANA, 1st June 2016 (WAM)--The delegation of Federal National Council (FNC), led by Dr. Amal Abdullah Al Qubaisi, Speaker of the FNC, has discussed with the Kazakh Senate Chairman Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, ways to strengthen cooperation between the UAE and Kazakhstan. They also tackled political, economic and cultural ties, as well as bolstering the role of parliamentarians through joint coordination at the Islamic and international parliamentary forums. The two sides also touched on the efforts of the two countries on counter-terrorism, extremism and clarifying the image of Islam, which deviant terrorist groups try to distort. They welcomed setting up of the UAE- Kazakh Parliamentary Friendship Committee, which will strengthen relations between the two parliaments. Tokayev, who welcomed the UAE delegation, stressed the importance of such meetings and discussions, which coincide with hosting of the International Religions against Terrorism Conference by Kazakhstan. The Kazakh official stressed the keenness of his country to invite the UAE to attend the conference, given its effective regional and international role in settling disputes amicably and creating an appropriate environment for good international relations based on good neighbourliness, moderation, tolerance, nonviolence, respect for human rights, and women empowerment in all fields. He referred to the role played by the UAE to support the Kazakh economy, stressing that his country is keen to further strengthen the economic, trade and cultural relations with the UAE in particular and the region in general. For her part, Dr. Al Qubaisi highlighted the UAE efforts to combat terrorism and extremism, citing that it has set up Sawab Centre, an online platform to counter activities of terrorist organisations, and Hedayah Centre of Excellence, an international research centre for dialogue and cooperation. She referred to the three UAE islands of Tunb Greater, Tunb Lesser and Abu Musa, being occupied by Iran. The UAE official cited the legitimate demands of the UAE to settle this issue peacefully or referral to the International Court of Justice. Dr. Al Qubaisi stressed that the UAE since its establishment respects good neighbourliness and non-interference in internal affairs of other countries. She said the UAE is the largest humanitarian donor for the peoples of Yemen and Syria. It sent relief aid worth AED2 billion to the camps it helped set up in Jordan, Lebanon, Kurdistan of Iraq, and Greece. The FNC speaker invited the Kazakh Senate Chairman to visit the UAE. - Emirates News Agency, WAM - http://www.wam.ae/en/news/emirates-international/1395296169443.html