NATO officials hail UAE's active role in Istanbul Cooperation Initiative

Brussels, Dec 8, 2009 (WAM) - Officials at the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation said that NATO's relations are becoming increasingly developed with the countries of the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative and the Mediterranean Dialogue countries.
They praised the active role played by the United Arab Emirates in the Initiative and hailed its humanitarian efforts in Afghanistan, which have a positive impact in ensuring the prosperity and stability for the Afghan people.
An official at the media division of the public diplomacy directorate in NATO said that the UAE, a member of the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative, proved effective presence quickly among the member countries, strengthening cooperation with NATO in various fields to consolidate its regional and international presence.
Meanwhile, Ms. Carmen Romero, NATO Deputy Spokesperson said that the Organisation is counting on the international donors' conference in London on Jan. 28 next year to mobilize political and material support for Afghanistan. However, she said that she does not know how many countries are going to be invited to the conference, but is sure that the ICI countries who include UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar as well as the seven Mediterranean Dialogue countries and Pakistan will participate in the London Conference.
She added that the donations will not be presented to the government of President Hamid Karzai on a platter of gold, but will go to development projects and services, education, health, drinking water and electricity.
'We will call on Karzai to fight corruption and enhance government's performance and honesty with the people to urge the world countries to pledge donations as well as political and military support for NATO's strategy in Afghanistan', she said.