Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed
Mohammad Bin Zayed reaffirms support for international alliance against Daesh
…we had realised at an early stage the danger of relying too heavily on oil as a source of income and have worked hard to build a more knowledge-based, diversified economy ...
The UAE is committed to countering terrorism and extremism and promoting values of tolerance and moderation, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, said ahead of National Day yesterday.
In a statement to Dira’a Al Watan (The Nation’s Shield) magazine, Shaikh Mohammad said the country will never forget its martyrs and will continue to fight for the Yemeni people’s right to live in peace.
“…the UAE firmly counters all forces of violence, extremism and terror using a threefold strategy. The first is promoting the values of tolerance, moderation and the acceptance of others as opposed to extremist ideologies…
“The second is making efforts to achieve sustainable development in poorer regions because extremist groups thrive in poor and distressed regions and exploit the difficult living conditions of people to recruit and brainwash them.”
“The third is strong and effective involvement in any international effort to curb the expansion of terrorist groups and their attempts to control countries and societies by the force of terrorism,” he said.
Shaikh Mohammad added that the UAE is keen to liaise with countries regionally and internationally to build counter-terrorism strategies.
On the sacrifices made
by Emirati soldiers, Shaikh Mohammad said: “We remember their heroism and sacrifice. We also pay tribute to the families of martyrs who raised their sons to love their country enough to sacrifice their lives for it. We reaffirm that the UAE will never forget its martyrs and that their names will forever be engraved in the minds and hearts of our nation.”
Shaikh Mohammad said the UAE will continue to advocate just and legitimate causes, including those of the Yemeni people and their right to live in peace, stability and dignity.
“It will also continue to support its Arab brothers and protect Arab security against internal and external threats. On this basis, the UAE took part in the Arab coalition led by Saudi Arabia to restore legitimacy in Yemen and liberate it from rebels serving their own agenda.”
Oil prices
Shaikh Mohammad assured that a decline in oil prices will not impact the development plans. “This is because we had realised at an early stage the danger of relying too heavily on oil as a source of income and have worked hard to build a more knowledge-based, diversified economy that can deliver sustainable development even in times of fluctuating oil prices or production.
“Therefore, we have focused on industrial development, tourism, renewable energy, space and nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, in addition to development projects that have provided our national economy with additional sources of income.”
We remember martyrs’ heroism and sacrifice. We also pay tribute to their families... We reaffirm that the UAE will never forget its martyrs and that their names will forever be engraved in the minds and hearts of our nation.”
Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan
FNC’s role
The UAE’s evolving parliamentary process, Shaikh Mohammad said, has been successful thanks to the cooperation of its participants.
“I have full confidence that, given the deep national sense and the outstanding expertise of FNC members, the Council will be able to serve the UAE and its people on domestic and external levels, to bolster the Union’s work and deepen national solidarity in cooperation with other government organisations,” he added.