UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash made history on Tuesday evening when he addressed the American Jewish Committee Global Forum 2020.
Addressing the complex reality created by the coronavirus pandemic, Gargash said, "The pandemic will not change the fundamentals of regional politics." He added that the experience of international cooperation to combat the pandemic opened opportunities to de-escalate tensions and resolve conflicts through diplomacy, referring specifically to the threats posed by Iran and to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
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Gargash expressed the pragmatism of UAE foreign policy when he said "I think we can have a political disagreement with Israel and try to bridge other differences.
Alexandros Diakopoulos, Greek National Security Advisor, tells @MatthiasInbar that if Greece capitulates and is put in a corner, Turkey will be a bigger threat to Israel than Iran.
Full interview on 'Strictly Security', Saturday at 7 pm EST pic.twitter.com/otN7CddhkY
— i24NEWS English (@i24NEWS_EN) June 16, 2020
"We have no relationship with Israel, but the pandemic is an area where we have to cooperate together because it affects human beings," the minister said.
However, cooperating with Israel to send aid to the Palestinians via the UN did not change the UAE's position on Israel's "annexation" plan.
Gargash also noted that the UAE was not breaking any new ground in engaging with Israel.
"The reality is you have major countries in the region that have normal diplomatic relations with Israel – Turkey, Egypt, Jordan – and other countries in the Gulf area dealing with Israel in various capacities," he said.
The minister of state for foreign affairs underscored that the UAE was a partner in the Arab consensus that backs a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, including direct bilateral negotiations for a peace agreement.
Touching on the UAE's ties with the US, Gargash said that regardless of who was president, it was important to keep the US involved in the region. He stressed that the UAE does not want the US involved in another war in the Middle East, but that he does see the Americans as a deterrent against threats like Iran, and a major help in keeping sea lanes open and oil flowing
"America is our main and most important strategic ally. We want to see America engaged in the region. When the US is engaged, we are better," he said.
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