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U.S. - United Arab Emirates Joint Statement

Published: Wed 19 Nov 2008 04:29 PM
United States – United Arab Emirates Joint Statement
Following is a joint statement by the United States of America and the United Arab Emirates on their bilateral and shared views:
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The United States and the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) have an enduring partnership and share a common vision for a secure, stable, and prosperous Middle East. They share a belief in peace, respect for the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of all states, and a belief that religious tolerance and moderation will prevail over violence and extremism. It is these commonly held tenets that have brought the United States and the U.AE. to a new level of friendship and cooperation.
Our two nations have enjoyed close relations since the U.A.E.’s federation that have grown stronger in recent times. The United States and the UA.E. collaborate as like-minded partners on regional issues such as the Arab-Israeli peace process, ensuring peace and stability in Lebanon, and supporting Iraq’s increasing engagement with its neighbors. The United States and U.A.E. also work closely to bring peace and stability to Afghanistan, and to strengthen the economy of Pakistan.
The United States and U.A.E. are allies and partners in the continuing struggle against terror and extremism. The U.A.E. provides the U.S. and Coalition forces access to its ports and territory and other critical and important logistical assistance. The U.A.E. and the United States continue to work together to undercut the violent ideology used to justify extremism and prevent terrorist attacks against our people and common interests and the terrorist financing that supports terrorist organizations. The U.A.E. also enhances global security by actively participating in various initiatives to counter illicit shipments of dangerous goods and materials. The United States and the U.A.E. share a deep concern over the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), their delivery systems, and related materials, as well as WMD financing, and reaffirm the importance for all nations to comply with UN Security Council resolutions and cooperate with the IAEA.
The U.A.E. has played a positive role in advancing democratic reforms in the region and has helped lead the Broader Middle East and North Africa Initiative, including hosting the Forum for the Future in 2008. Ongoing efforts to increase cooperation in the fields of education and cultural exchange will not only deepen our bilateral relationship, but also promote shared values of tolerance and moderation throughout our societies.
In the area of human rights, the United States and U.A.E. share a common purpose in the fight against human trafficking, in expanding opportunities for women, and in improving standards for workers. The U.S. continues to work with the U.A.E. as it reforms its education system so that U.A.E. students can lead lives as life-long learners and responsible citizens in a global society.
The U.A.E. and the United States continue to work closely together in assuring the stability and security of energy supplies and their unhindered transit through international waterways. The United States recognizes that the U.A.E. has been a responsible and reliable supplier of energy to world markets, with the sustained involvement of U.S. companies in the U.A.E. oil and gas industry for more than forty years. This cooperation has increased transparency in the energy sector and promoted investment and exploration. The U.A.E. also welcomes greater U.S. participation in its significant efforts to become a leader in alternative energy research and development.
The United States welcomes the U.A.E.’s decision to pursue the development of peaceful uses of nuclear energy. The U.A.E. has committed to complete operational transparency and to pursuing the highest standards of non-proliferation safety and security. The United States and the U.A.E. have recognized their partnership in this important effort through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on April 21, 2008, and the pursuit of an Agreement Concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy.
The United States and the United Arab Emirates reaffirm the importance of collaboration on international financial, trade, and investment issues. With the U.A.E. having been the top Arab destination for U.S. exports in 2007, U.S.-U.A.E. commercial ties represent a key component of the bilateral relationship which we hope to strengthen further. Investors from the U.A.E. have been responsible and reliable investors in the United States for more than thirty years. Investors from the United States have been welcome in the UA.E. for as long. Both countries reaffirm our common interest in an open and stable international financial system, and to maintaining the free flow of cross-border investment. Investments should be made on the basis of economic and financial risk and return-related considerations. Recipient countries should ensure predictable investment frameworks. Both countries welcome the work of the International Working Group of Sovereign Wealth Funds and the OECD to establish multilateral frameworks for positive interaction between Sovereign Wealth Funds and recipient countries.
The United States and U.A.E. also wish to highlight the close and expanding cultural and educational ties between the two countries. The U.S. Department of Education and the U.A.E. Ministry of Education have formally established a direct relationship. The U.A.E. participates in International Visitor Programs and the United States and the U.A.E. exchange Fulbright scholars. Major U.S. higher education, health care and arts institutions are involved in initiatives in the U.A.E. U.A.E. student enrollment in U.S. universities continues to grow. The U.A.E. looks forward to opportunities joint R in the area of education.
The United States and the United Arab Emirates continue to explore the benefits of increased engagement by regular meetings at the Ministerial-level, chaired by the Foreign Minister and the Secretary of State. These meetings would provide an opportunity to exchange views on security cooperation, regional political issues, and the common interests they increasingly share.
ENDS

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