Soft approach on Iran has failed, Gargash tells strategic debate
Iran’s key role in regional crises must be countered, Dr Anwar Gargash said yesterday.
“The softer approach has failed,” Dr Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, told the opening session of the Abu Dhabi Strategic Debate.
He rejected Tehran’s destabilising actions and hailed the US for reimposing economic sanctions on Iran, with particular focus on energy, at the start of the month.
“Due to Iran’s destructive regional and global policy, we have voiced our support to President Donald Trump’s administration towards Tehran,” Dr Gargash said.
He said that Arab states must take more responsibility towards building co-operation in regional security.
“The UAE, along with Arab states, is increasingly playing a role to address security challenges in the region. We are pushing alongside the US to form a strategic alliance to counter these issues,” he said, referring to the Middle East Strategic Alliance, a so-called Arab Nato.
Washington wants deeper co-operation between the Arab states on missile defence, military training, counter-terrorism and strengthening regional, economic and diplomatic relations.
Dr Gargash called on Arab states to adopt a collective policy against destabilising factors in the region.
He praised Saudi Arabia for its military and diplomatic efforts to battle extremism and instability in the Gulf.
Dr Gargash also stressed the need to reach peace settlements in the region, including Africa, Libya and Palestine.
“We have spared no efforts in ensuring that peace prevails in the Middle East,” he said. He referred to the Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed, and his values of tolerance, commitment and compassion.
“This year we celebrate the centennial of Sheikh Zayed, who laid the value that shaped our country, our people and our relations with the world,” Dr Gargash said.
“The values of Sheikh Zayed
are embodied in our openness to the world and reflect what we believe as Emiratis.”
This was the fifth debate hosted by the Emirates Policy Centre. The theme was power and understanding how force interacts with international politics.
Ebtesam Al Ketbi, president of the centre, said the UAE was preparing for the post-oil era.
“This is why we are investing in knowledge, technology and education,” Ms Al Ketbi said. “We need to start thinking about smart power instead of soft power.”
Regional shifts have enabled the UAE to play a key role in supporting moderation. The country is regarded as a model for humanitarian solidarity, especially when providing assistance to war-torn countries.
In Yemen, the UAE was declared the largest donor of humanitarian assistance after Saudi Arabia, the UN’s Financial Tracking Services said. Abu Dhabi has pledged nearly $4 billion (Dh14.69bn) in aid over three years to ease the crisis.
“The accelerating shifts in the regional and international environment have pushed the UAE to take part in ensuring that stability prevails in the region,” Ms Al Ketbi said.