UAE joins global coalition for maritime security

By DG Staff

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed with Michael Pompeo, US Secretary of State

ABU DHABI 20 September 2019: The United Arab Emirates on Thursday announced it has joined International Maritime Security Construct, an international alliance that aims to protect the safety of maritime navigation and international trade.

Salem Mohammed Al Zaabi, Director of the International Security Cooperation Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, said that the UAE’s accession to the alliance comes in support of regional and international efforts to deter threats to maritime navigation and global trade, and in order to secure the flow of energy supplies to the global economy and contribute to the maintenance of international peace and security.

The alliance protects the interests of its members and their merchant ships when passing through maritime corridors. Its operation area covers the Strait of Hormuz, Bab Al Mandab, the Sea of Oman and the Arabian Gulf, said Wam.

Mohamed, Pompeo discuss Aramco attack

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, has re-affirmed the UAE’s support for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia against all the menacing threats besetting its security and stability.

Sheikh Mohamed made the statements as he received US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo at Qasr Al Shati’ yesterday, with the two sides deliberating the recent attacks on Saudi oil installations on Saturday and their repercussions on regional and international security.

“The UAE categorically rejects any attempts to undermine the Kingdom’s security and stability and regards any threat to the Kingdom as a threat to international peace and security,” Sheikh Mohamed added.

He underscored the UAE’s principled support for preserving peace and stability in the Gulf region and the Middle East in cooperation with other sisterly and friendly countries, primarily the United States of America.

The two sides doubled on the importance of maintaining channels of bilateral coordination and continuing to solidify the pillars of peace and stability in the region.

Attending the meeting were H.H. Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Adviser; H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; Ali Bin Hammad Al Shamsi, Deputy Secretary General of the Supreme Council for National Security; Ali Saeed Matar Al Neyadi, Chairman of the Federal Customs Authority; Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Affairs Authority, and Mohamed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, Undersecretary of the Crown Prince Court of Abu Dhabi, as well as the US top diplomat’s accompanying delegation.

Mohamed bin Zayed receives Acting Secretary of US Army

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed also received Ryan McCarthy, Acting Secretary of the US Army, to review prospects of fostering bilateral defence relations.

During the meeting held at Al Shati Palace, Sheikh Mohamed and McCarthy reviewed a number of issues of mutual interest and exchanged views over the latest regional and international developments.

Attending the meeting were Lt. General Issa Saif bin Ablan Al Mazrouei, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces; Mohamed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, Under-Secretary of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s Court; Staff Major General Saleh Mohammed Saleh Majran Al Ameri, Commander of the Ground Forces, and the delegation accompanying the US high-ranking official.

Al Bowardi, McCarthy discuss bilateral cooperation

Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Bowardi, Minister of State for Defence Affairs, received Ryan McCarthy, Acting Secretary of the US Army, and his delegation currently visiting the UAE, at the headquarters of the Ministry of Defence in Abu Dhabi.

During the meeting, which was attended by Mattar Salem Al Dhaheri, Under-Secretary at the Ministry of Defence, Al Bowardi welcomed McCarthy, and both sides discussed the friendship and cooperation between the UAE and the US and ways of reinforcing them.

They also explored potential areas of coordination between their countries in the areas of defence and military affairs and exchanged their views on many regional and international issues of mutual concern.

The meeting was attended by several senior officers from the ministry.

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