UAE will not allow third country to use soil against Iran: Bin Rashid
The Dubai ruler says the UAE will use all its capacities to facilitate the implementation of the agreement reached by Iran and Saudi Arabia.
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Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, Ali Shamkhani, meets with the ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (WAM)
The ruler of the Emirate of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, said his country's principled policy is based on not allowing a third country to stir up division or use the UAE's geography against Iran.
"Experience shows that the aliens' efforts are focused on disturbing our bilateral ties with Iran, and the only winners of disputes among the regional countries are the enemies of the regional nations, which is why we will not permit any third country sow the seed of discord, or use UAE soil against Iran," bin Rashid Al Maktoum said during his meeting with the Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, Ali Shamkhani.
The ruler of Dubai emphasized the importance of Shamkhani's visit, pointing out that the "improvement of bilateral and strategic relations with Iran has always been of great importance for the United Arab Emirates."
Bin Rashid Al Maktoum congratulated Shamkhani on the agreement reached between Iran and Saudi Arabia regarding the resumption of bilateral relations, stressing that the UAE "will use all its capacities to facilitate the implementation of that agreement."
The UAE leader also promised to resolve the problems faced by some Iranian citizens and institutions based in Dubai, saying, "We will do all our best to solve those problems, too."
On his part, Shamkhani stressed the importance of boosting the implementation of previously established agreements in order to remove roadblocks to bilateral cooperation.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran is seriously after strengthening continuous and constructive cooperation with its neighbors, and has put forth a combination of its capacities to reach that end," the Iranian official made clear.
Shamkhani pointed out that the region needs peace, stability, and security, adding that mistrust among regional nations is a major impediment to attaining those goals and damages the process of regional growth and economic strength.
"We need to interact and cooperate comprehensively, which will result in regional nations' security, wellbeing, and progress for sure," he underlined.
According to Shamkhani, the United Arab Emirates and the Dubai Sheikhdom are key economic participants in regional economic growth, and the establishment of broader connections with all neighbors is a priority for the Iranian government.
Shamkhani arrived in UAE on Thursday afternoon at an official invitation. Upon his arrival in Dubai, he met several UAE officials.
Problems in Gulf caused by US, "Israel" interference: Shamkhani
In the same context, the Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council also met on Thursday with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi and discussed issues of mutual interest.
During the meeting, Shamkhani touched on the enhanced politico-economic relations between Iran and the UAE, pointing out that the two countries can take major steps in the expansion of mutual cooperation.
Shamkhani considered that the problems of the Gulf region are mainly caused by the interference of trans-regional countries, namely the United States and "Israel", stressing the need for collective efforts of regional countries to ensure the security of the region.
On his part, bin Zayed hailed the agreement to restore relations between Tehran and Riyadh and considered it a decisive step to further help bring convergence among regional countries.
The UAE President hoped Shamkhani's visit to Abu Dhabi will turn a new page in Iranian-Emirati relations, expressing his country's readiness to solve the misunderstandings and promote bilateral relations with Iran to the highest level.
In a meeting with UAE National Security Advisor Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Shamkhani also noted that the differences and mistrust among the countries of the Gulf is a main obstacle to economic growth of this region.
The Iranian official underlined that disputes should be resolved through dialogue, goodwill, and tolerance.
Shamnkhani's visit to the UAE comes a couple of days after Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed to restore diplomatic relations and re-open their embassies following a series of talks brokered in Beijing, China under the auspices of Chinese President Xi Jinping.
