Sheikh Abdullah recently met with Ambassador Feridun Hadi Sinirlioğlu, UN-appointed Special Coordinator for the Independent Assessment of the Situation in Afghanistan. WAM

Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs, recently met with Ambassador Feridun Hadi Sinirlioğlu, UN-appointed Special Coordinator for the Independent Assessment of the Situation in Afghanistan.

Held in Abu Dhabi, the meeting discussed the overall situation in Afghanistan, and prospects for cooperation between the UAE and the UN in this regard.

Sheikh Abdullah reiterated the UAE’s support for the UN Security Council-mandated Independent Assessment of the Situation in Afghanistan and its objectives.

The meeting also reviewed the UAE’s initiatives aimed at supporting Afghanistan and its people across various sectors, and highlighted the importance of bolstering international cooperation to tackle the challenges facing the Afghani people, especially women, and support efforts to meet their needs.

Around the end of the meeting, the UAE top diplomat wished Ambassador Sinirlioğlu success in performing his duties, affirming the UAE’s firm commitment to backing all international efforts that seek to achieve peace, stability and prosperity for the people of Afghanistan.

UAE WAS FIRST ARAB STATE TO PARTICIPATE IN NATO MISSION IN AFGHANISTAN: Recently, a workshop on ways to strengthen Italy-UAE cooperation gathered high government officials from both countries as well as academics and experts. The event, organised by the Italian Think Tank Med-Or, discussed ways to improve cooperation on issues of crucial importance for the two countries, namely the current political situation in Libya and the Horn of Africa, energy transition, as well as future cultural relations between Italy and the Arab world.

Marco Minniti, Chairman of Med-Or foundation and former Italian Interior Minister, stressed in his opening remarks on the leading role the UAE has been playing in the Mediterranean region and beyond for more than15 years. He reminded the audience of its decisive participation in the fight against terrorism affirming that “without the alliance with the UAE, the West would not have defeated Daesh”. He added that the West should be grateful to the United Arab Emirates, which was also the first Arab state to participate in the NATO mission in Afghanistan.

Abdulrahman Al Neyadi, Director of Policy Planning at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, spoke of the outstanding bilateral relations between the UAE and Italy and the importance of strengthening relations in all fields. Events such as this workshop are important to exchange views and find ways to enhance cooperation, he added.

In his intervention about the political situation in the Middle East, Al Neyadi highlighted the deep conviction of the UAE that building bridges through dialogue, cooperation and diplomacy is the best way to achieve peace and stability in the region and beyond.

Experts and officials in the panel on Libya voiced their concern about the little progress the UN efforts to unify the country through elections is making.

WAM