UAE, Russia Voice Concern over Palestinian-Israeli Conflict

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Russia on Sunday urged the international community to pressure Israel into halting aggressions against the Palestinians.

The two countries also stressed the necessity to implement the relevant United Nations resolutions, which call for a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in the Middle East, UAE's official WAM news agency reported.

The appeal was made after talks between Sheikh Fahim Bin Sultan al Qasimi, UAE minister of economy and commerce, and head of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Russian parliament Dimitri Rojuzein, who arrived in Dubai on Saturday.

In a joint statement, the two sides underlined that the Palestinian people should enjoy the rights to establish their own independent state.

The two sides also stressed the importance of preserving peace in the Gulf region. ''The Gulf region should remain in peace and stability, away from disasters, so that global economic relations can flourish,'' the statement said.

Regarding the dispute between the UAE and Iran over three islands in the Gulf, the two sides emphasized the need for finding a peaceful settlement.

In addition, the talks reviewed the trade and economic cooperation between the two countries. The two countries expressed satisfaction with the development of their ties in recent years.

Rojuzein proposed a joint ministerial committee be created to seek ways of increasing trade exchange. He said that his country is ready to offer its expertise to the UAE in educational, cultural, trade, industrial, economic and technological fields.

On Saturday, Mohammed Khalifa el-Hebtour, speaker of UAE's Federal National Council (parliament), met with the Russian parliament official after his arrival. Hebtour urged Russia to persuade Iran to respond to UAE's peace initiative to settle the issue of the disputed islands, namely the Greater and Lesser Tunbs and Abu Musa.

The UAE proposed the problem be solved through international arbitration.

Iran controlled the islands in 1971 after Britain withdrew from the region. The UAE also claims sovereignty over the territories.

Tehran calls for direct talks in seeking solution to the dispute.






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