UAE participates in preparatory meeting of Arab foreign affairs ministers at 28th Arab Summit in Jordan.

During their preparatory meeting at the 28th Arab Summit in Jordan, Arab ministers of foreign affairs have stressed the necessity of the comprehensive reform of a joint Arab action system, to overcome the current challenges facing the Arab region.

The ministers also stressed the importance of focussing on the Palestinian issue, Iranian interventions in the internal affairs of Arab countries, the protection of Arab national security and combatting terrorism, as well as addressing the crises in Yemen, Syria and Libya. They also called for an agreement on a unified Arab vision and finding solutions for the region’s crises to achieve security and stability.

During his speech at the meeting, Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of State, and head of UAE delegation, thanked the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan for the great efforts it exerted in hosting the 28th Arab Summit. He also expressed the UAE's aspiration to make the summit a success, achieve the Arab goals in the coming period, and agree on important decisions that match the ambitions and aspirations of Arab people. He also pointed out that Jordan's presidency of this summit will be a constructive addition to joint Arab action.

He then praised the role that was played by the Islamic Republic of Mauritania during its presidency of the 27th Arab Summit, while noting that its efforts provided the appropriate atmosphere for dialogue to achieve Arab consensus and solidarity and ensure the avoidance of violence and chaos, in light of the serious and increasing challenges and developments in the Arab region.

He added that the most important Arab issue is currently the Palestinian issue, which is considered a high priority in bilateral, regional and international meetings. He pointed out that the continued Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories and the absence of a political solution is a key factor to regional instability.

Regarding external interferences in Arab affairs, Dr. Al Jaber highlighted the importance of the awareness of the Arab Summit Conference about the negative role of Iran, which undermines security and stability in the region, while reinforcing the total rejection of Iranian interference and demanding its immediate end to maintain the principles of neighbourliness and the respect of each country’s sovereignty, interests and privacy. He also demanded an end to the use of sectarianism as a tool for interfering in the internal affairs of Arab countries through making threats, feeding sectarian conflicts and creating militias that spread chaos and violence, and destabilise regional security.

Al Jaber then highlighted the absolute rejection of the Iranian occupation of the three Emirati islands of Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa. He again invited Iran to solve the issue of the three occupied Emirati islands through either direct negotiations or international arbitration, in line with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and the rules of international law.

He stressed the urgency of strengthening co-operation and co-ordination with the goal of stopping terrorism, while highlighting the importance of facing the extreme intellectual, ideological and cultural views of terrorists.

He also mentioned the importance of applying the summit’s decisions and commitments in the real world, through strengthening co-operation and co-ordination to achieve the goal of Arab solidarity, to make important decisions that answer the ambitions of Arab people, and to prevent cross-border dangers that threaten security and stability.