Abdullah bin Zayed calls for more Turkish- Arab World cooperation

Rabat - Nov 17, 2011 (WAM) - H. H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister, has highlighted the tracks of distinguished and historic relations between the Arab world and Turkey, which have been growing steadily in terms of politics and economy. Addressing the fourth Arab -Turkey cooperation forum, which commenced yesterday here at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, he stressed the Turkish position towards the Arab issues, notably, the Palestinian issue and support of Turkey to the Arab League resolutions, especially on Libya, Syrian and the GCC Initiative to resolve Yemeni Crisis. Sheikh Abdullah said the UAE stands by Turkey in its condemnation of all types of terrorism and non proliferation of nuclear weapons and call for resolving the nuclear files through dialogue and diplomatic talks to make the Middle East, including the Arab Gulf free from the Weapons of Mass Destruction. The event was attended by the Arab Foreign Ministers, Turkish Foreign Minister and the Secretary General of the Arab League. Sheikh Abdullah thanked His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco for hosting the meeting and good hospitality. He expressed his heartfelt condolences to the Turkish government on the victims of the recent earthquake. He welcomed the efforts of King Mohammed VI in his capacity as a Chairman of al-Quds Committee for the support of Palestinian issue and preserving of religious identity of Jerusalem and maintenance of Islamic heritage. He called on the Arab, Turkish sides to exercise more cooperation and coordination to overcome the challenges posed by the Global Financial Crisis. He expressed support for the Alliance of Civilisations and participation in all initiatives that boosts religions and cultural dialogues, welcoming hosting of Qatar of the fourth Alliance of Civilisations Forum, which will be held in Dec. 2013 in Doha. Sheikh Abdullah said the Arab world looks forward to expanding the economic cooperation with Turkey and encouragement of joint investments in the areas of industry, funding, skills, markets, tourism, water, sustainable development, scientific and technological cooperation, oil and gas and renewable energy. He reiterated that the openness of Turkey on the Arab world in the recent years is the fruit of joint efforts based on mutual respect and non interference in the internal affairs. King Mohammed VI, said in the speech delivered on his behalf by Moroccan Foreign Minister al-Tayeb al-Fasi al- Fahri, that Morocco looks at this forum as a framework for the strategic dialogue with Turkey and tool for exemplary investment. - Emirates News Agency, WAM