Mohamed bin Zayed: UAE supports global peace, security efforts

ABU DHABI, 24th July, 2018 (WAM) -- His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, has affirmed that the UAE, under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, supports every effort aimed at achieving peace, security and stability across the world. At an official tripartite meeting today at the Presidential Palace with President Isaias Afwerki, President of Eritrea, and Dr Abiy Ahmed, Prime Minister of Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE), His Highness Sheikh Mohamed praised the bold and historic step taken by the leaders of the two neighbouring countries to end their conflict. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed said this would result in cooperation and coordination between the neighbours and help meet their citizens' aspirations for peace, development and prosperity, as well as enhance security and stability in the Horn of Africa and the wider region. "The UAE, under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, supports every effort to achieve peace, security and stability worldwide and believes that the achievement of peace and security is the key to achieving comprehensive and sustainable development," said Sheikh Mohamed. His Highness praised the bold and historic step taken by the leaders of the two neighbouring countries to end their conflict, adding that this would result in cooperation and coordination between the neighbours and help meet their citizens' aspirations for peace, development and prosperity, as well as enhance security and stability in the Horn of Africa and the wider region. His Highness said the UAE welcomed the wise approach of the two leaders in opening a new chapter of constructive relations, based on their keenness to achieve their common interests. "This would help establish security and stability and bring in development to this important region." Sheikh Mohamed added that the neighbouring countries and their leaders had demonstrated the will and determination to normalise relations and overcome many years of conflict and instability. "This is a model that can inspire others and ought to be used to resolve conflicts in Africa and other parts of the world, thus enhancing regional security and stability and opening wider areas of cooperation." He noted that the UAE leadership and their people would be delighted to see all parts of the world becoming peaceful, secure and prosperous. "The UAE is prepared to actively assist in the process of restoring peace, coexistence and development." The UAE after their bold and historic move of normalising Ethiopian-Eritrean relations carried a message of peace and tolerance to the wider world and displayed keen desire to help other countries achieve peace, development and stability, he added. The UAE's relations with Ethiopia and Eritrea were marked by a common desire to usher in peace and prosperity, Sheikh Mohamed noted, adding that the Ethio-Eritrea Peace and Friendship Agreement would result in further cooperation and coordination, and enhance security and stability in the Horn of Africa and benefit the peoples of the wider region. Sheikh Mohamed expressed confidence that this visit would pave the way for peace and friendship and benefit all. He said the UAE was keen to help countries in the Horn of Africa to achieve peace, stability and prosperity, and to establish strong relations with them. For their part, the Eritrean President and Ethiopian Prime Minister commended the UAE's pioneering role in sustaining peace and stability and promoting tolerance, intercultural dialogue and peaceful co-existence between world's peoples. The two African leaders hailed in particular the UAE's role in establishing security and stability in the Horn of Africa region, wishing further progress and sustainability for the global model of peace and security set by the UAE. Attending the meeting were Dr. Amal Abdullah Al Qubaisi, Speaker of Federal National Council (FNC), H.H. Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, H.H. Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, H.H. Sheikh Khalid bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, H.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Department of Transport, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance, Sheikh Khalifa bin Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Director of The Martyrs' Families' Affairs Office at the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince's Court, along with Sheikhs, ministers, members of the Executive Council, and a number of top brass of the UAE Armed Forces and Ministry of Interior along with ambassadors and heads of diplomatic missions accredited to the country.