UAE International Relations

The UAE's foreign policy is based on the principles outlined in the Charter of the United Nations and the Charter of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC). Unity within the Arab world has been a consistent theme of foreign policy. The country is one of six members of the Gulf Co-operation Council, GCC, which is supporting the UAE in its efforts to resolve the dispute caused by Iran's occupation in 1971 of the three UAE islands of Abu Musa and Greater and Lesser Tunb. Close ties are maintained with countries throughout the Middle East and Asia, as well as with western nations, both on a political and a commercial level. The UAE is a major donor of international development aid and relief assistance, over 50 countries having received help. It is also an active supporter of international peace-keeping operations. It was a participant in the coalition to liberate Kuwait in 1991 and in United Nations operations in Somalia and is currently participating in the KFOR peace-keeping force in Kosovo.

During the course of the past year, the United Arab Emirates has continued the process that began with its establishment 27 years ago of steadily but quietly working in co-operation with its friends to achieve a better world. The basic guidelines of foreign policy, still followed today, first began clearly to emerge in the mid-1960s, when Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan became the Ruler of the largest emirate, Abu Dhabi, not long after its commencement of oil exports gave it both the need to extend its international ties and also the economic weight to play a regional and then an international role.

Those guidelines, like those of many other small states in the  community of nations, are based upon the principles enunciated in the Charter of the United Nations, notably those of non-interference in the internal affairs of others, respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations, as well as inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory by force.

Some of the basic foci of policy have been constant through the years. In particular, from the earliest days of the state, the UAE has upheld a desire for close relations with its neighbors and Arab sister states, with particular emphasis on those in the Arabian peninsula.
 

Thus the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC), formally established at a summit meeting in Abu Dhabi in 1981, is a central component of UAE foreign policy, especially its continuous efforts to encourage regional stability. 'We in the Arabian Gulf are one family', according to Sheikh Zayed who, in a speech to the eighteenth GCC summit, noted that the GCC was capable of achieving the aspirations of its people in all fields, stressing the UAE's belief in GCC unity as the means to secure the widest possible co-operation.

Within the broader framework of the quest for Arab solidarity, Sheikh Zayed remarked: 'The GCC's weight and position in the Arab and Muslim nation requires further efforts from the Council to support current drives which seek to serve the nation's causes, unifying its ranks and patching up its differences'.

Reconciliation, tolerance and solidarity within the Arab world are a constant theme of Sheikh Zayed's speeches. He has directed his personal efforts and UAE resources towards the goal of harmony and entente between Arabs and has constantly urged dialogue to eradicate differences. Participation in and support for the Arab League has been a central feature of these efforts.

Based on the guiding principles of faithfulness to the UN Charter and the Charter of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), unity of Arab purpose as well as peaceful co-existence, the UAE has continued over the past year to play a positive role as a significant influence for rapprochement and peace, as a firm voice for justice and human rights, and as a generous aid donor.

Diplomatic relations

The UAE has diplomatic relations with 143 countries and hosts 62 embassies, compared to three in 1971, in addition to 29 non-resident embassies and 37 consulates in Dubai. The UAE has 40 embassies abroad, five consulates and two Permanent Missions in New York and Geneva.

Aid

An important part of UAE foreign policy has been the practical assistance it has proffered to developing countries. The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) was established in July 1971 on the directives of Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Khalifa with the aim of providing loans, grants and technical aid on easy terms to Arab, Muslim and other developing countries, in order to enable them to carry out their development plans. The Fund has provided loans, grants and technical aid for the implementation of a wide variety of infrastructure projects, including agricultural, industrial, transport, rural development, housing, water, electricity, road, port, dam and tourism projects. The Fund also manages loans and grants provided by the Abu Dhabi government to different Arab and other countries.

The Zayed Fund for Humanitarian and Philanthropic Projects, which was established in 1992 with a capital of Dh 3.761 million, has also financed numerous projects worldwide.

Economic aid

Sheikh Zayed's support for the Palestinian cause is not confined to the political arena. One of his many areas of assistance on the economic front has been a proposal to establish Zayed City in Gaza, designed to provide housing units and other basic services to the Palestinians in the area. The 3,600-apartment project, to be built on an area of 400 donums at a total cost of $160 million, will include all necessary services, schools, hospitals, sports facilities, police and civil defence centers, as well as advanced infrastructure. The project will also contribute to solving unemployment arising from Israeli policies and will help to counter Israel's expansionist practices.

Arab unity

Sheikh Zayed's speech to a high-level, three-day symposium on the future of the Arab world and the role of the Arab League, held in Abu Dhabi in November 1997, began with a call for unity. He stressed that division was a source of strength for the enemies of Arab countries and that the time was right for a harmonious, balanced and sensible look into the future of the Arab world. The present age, he said, requires that Arab states work together to meet political, economic, cultural and technical challenges. Sheikh Zayed also highlighted a number of important issues with related international and regional dimensions which needed to be addressed within the Arab world; these included environmental protection, limiting weapons of mass destruction, prevention of terrorism, and strengthening the UN role to safeguard international peace and stability.

In June 1998, Sheikh Zayed expressed the opinion that an Arab summit should be held regularly every year in order to promote cohesion and solidarity. He stressed that everything needed regular maintenance, whether it was a vehicle, a house or a ship, as all things were prone to wear and tear:

The Arab world comprises 22 countries which need annual maintenance. Our meetings should not be held only when the need arises or in the case of emergency in order to safeguard our nation and its future. If the Arab house is well protected and is in order, no enemy can have the courage to exploit the divisions and differences between us. Though we co-operate with and share interests with foreign powers, who support us today, we do not know for how long such support will last. Therefore, it is incumbent on Arab brothers to get closer and more united and support each other.

Terrorism

The UAE absolutely condemns all forms of terrorism and has consistently pointed out that the targeting of innocent civilians is in contravention not only of human rights but of Islamic values.

It is fully supportive of the Algerian people in their struggle to stem the massacres that are being committed in their country and has offered its assistance to stamp out the horrific and unprecedented crimes being perpetrated there. In this context the UAE has called on Arab countries and the international community to act effectively in support of the Algerian government, so that terrorism in that country in all its manifestations can be eradicated. 'We hope that there will be a positive response from the Arab countries to this call,' Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan declared, 'so that the people of Algeria may feel that their fellow Arab have not forgotten them and are with them in both good times and bad. We, as Arabs, should be partners in times of adversity as well as in the good times,' he concluded.

Sheikh Zayed and other members of the UAE government also condemned the horrific crimes committed by terrorists in Egypt, Kenya and Tanzania during the past year, at the same time deploring the US reaction in launching military strikes against Sudan and Afghanistan. Attending the first Arab Anti-Terrorism Conference, held at the end of August in Tunisia under the patronage of the Arab Interior Ministers Council, the UAE stressed the importance of enhancing security, stability and co-operation with other GCC states, Arab and Islamic countries in order to fight all forms of violence and terrorism. The conference called for joint meetings with other Arab League committees to strengthen co-operation in fighting terrorism.

The UAE also re-stated its belief, in line with other GCC states, that the only way to uproot terrorism and confront terrorists and those backing them is through 'international action agreed upon within the framework of the United Nations'.

Kosovo

Following the escalation of hostilities in Kosovo in March of 1998, the UAE called upon the international community to move quickly to prevent a deterioration in the dangerous situation. Urging the international community to end the violence against civilians in order to avoid the occurrence of another Bosnia, the UAE expressed its deep concern over the tragic events which had unfolded in the province. It warned that the outcome of hostilities could be much worse than that which had taken place in Bosnia-Herzegovina, posing the threat of civil wars that could cover the whole Balkan region and neighboring countries. The UAE called upon the international community to take a decisive position by finding a peaceful solution that leads to stability in the Kosovo province and puts an end to the flagrant violation of human rights against Kosovo civilians by Serbs.

Africa

Addressing the final session of the UN Security Council on Africa, the UAE's Permanent Representative at the UN said the UAE would like to see the international community back regional and international efforts to develop African resources. This would enable the African people to introduce reforms, in order that they might effectively participate in the world economy.

The UAE expressed its support for UN Secretary General Kofi Annan's report on Africa and stressed the importance of implementing its recommendations, in order to avert the increasing crises and problems faced by Africa. On the instructions of Sheikh Zayed, the UAE has extended humanitarian and development assistance to African countries, and granted soft loans to, and waived the debts of, a number of impoverished African states.

International Criminal Court

The UAE, calling upon the world community to exert greater efforts both regionally and internationally to find peaceful solutions to the conflicts currently raging in various parts of the world, stresses the importance of establishing an independent international criminal court to foster peace and security, and contribute to the achievement of justice and equality, in accordance with international law and the UN Charter. It is hoped that the establishment of the court, under the terms of the International Criminal Court Treaty, will protect mankind by enabling the arrest and prosecution of violators of human rights and humanitarian law. The UAE also urges that the crime of aggression should be clearly defined, taking into consideration relevant UN resolutions and the rulings of the ICJ.

The UAE supported restriction of the court's jurisdiction to prosecution of crimes committed in a state which had ratified the ICC treaty, or where the state of nationality of the accused has ratified the treaty, unless the non-signatory state makes a specific request, or there is a Security Council resolution demanding the lodging of a complaint. In any event, the UAE will co-operate with the court in good faith, without endangering its own safety or national security.