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Foreign Minister of the United Arab Emirates H.H Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan stressed that his country’s interest in developing a program for the peaceful use of nuclear energy stems from its desire to meet its growing needs of energy in the future.
"We are confident that this (peaceful nuclear program) will provide an opportunity for making a positive change in the international arena," said Sheikh Abdullah in a speech before the 46th United Nations General Assembly in New York.
He also expressed his country’s hopes that developing a peaceful nuclear energy model which complies with the highest standards of transparency in operating the nuclear facilities and fulfills the highest requirements of nuclear safety and non-proliferation, in cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency and other responsible and experienced states, would chart a new course for a large group of countries for the safe use of nuclear energy, with international support.
"The UAE’s commitment not to enrich uranium and reprocess fuels locally is among the most salient features of this model. This is a model supported by enhanced international transparency and cooperation mechanisms," he noted.
Sheikh Abdullah also renewed the UAE’s disappointment at the continued occupation by the Islamic Republic of Iran of the three UAE islands: Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa since 1971.
"The UAE demands the return of these islands under its full sovereignty, including their regional waters, airspace, continental shelf and their exclusive economic zone, as integral parts of the UAE." The UAE, he added, also affirms that all military and administrative measures taken by the Iranian Government on these islands are null and void. The UAE also affirms that these measures do not have any legal effect regardless of how long the occupation may last. In this context, we call upon the international community to urge Iran to respond to the peaceful and sincere initiatives of the UAE.
He noted that these initiatives, which are supported and adopted by the Gulf Cooperation Council as well as the League of Arab States, call for a just settlement of this issue, either through direct and serious negotiations between the two countries or by referring the issue to the International Court of Justice in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter and the provisions of international law.
Sheikh Abdullah also expressed the UAE’s hope that the Iranian Government will respond positively and fairly to this sensitive and important issue to strengthen neighborly relations, enhance cooperation and promote common interests between our two countries and achieve security, stability and prosperity in the region as a whole.
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