The UAE participates in the virtual meeting of foreign ministers regarding the Strait of Hormuz
LONDON, 3 April / WAM / Her Excellency Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, participated today in the virtual meeting of Foreign Ministers on the Strait of Hormuz, hosted by Her Excellency Yvette Cooper, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development of the United Kingdom.
Her Excellency Al Hashemi stressed the seriousness of the stage the region is going through, noting that since February 28, the UAE has been subjected to treacherous Iranian terrorist attacks with more than 2,500 ballistic missiles, mobile missiles and drones, most of which targeted civilian infrastructure, although the UAE was not a party to this war and sought to prevent it from reaching it, as it has made persistent efforts over the past months to avoid this path.
Her Excellency stressed that the treacherous Iranian attacks against commercial ships in the Arabian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz constitute an economic war and piracy, a blatant violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries, and expose vital corridors to grave economic, humanitarian and environmental risks.
It indicated that the UAE stresses that any attempt to close or obstruct navigation or use the strait as a tool for economic coercion is unacceptable and not based on a legal basis, and constitutes a direct threat to the freedom of international maritime navigation and the safety of sailors, as well as the global economy and energy security.
Her Excellency Al Hashemi also warned that the disruption of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz has led to a decrease in ship transit, which poses serious risks to global energy markets, the maritime transport sector, and international supply chains.
She stressed that the Strait of Hormuz is one of the most important strategic sea lanes in the world, through which basic goods and goods pass, as the Gulf provides 25% of natural gas production, 20% of global oil, and 70% of the world’s needs for petrochemicals, explaining that 33% of global fertilizer exports come from the Gulf countries, which makes any threat to the Strait or disruption to supplies a direct threat to global food security, at a time when millions around the world face increasing risks of food shortages.
She also stressed that the repercussions of disruption to navigation will not be limited to developing or fragile countries, as many developed countries depend on vital materials transported through the strait, which makes the entire world vulnerable to widespread risks.
Her Excellency stressed the UAE’s support for international efforts aimed at protecting freedom of navigation, including UN Security Council Resolution No. 2817 and the International Maritime Organization Council Resolution.
In this context, it welcomed the draft resolution submitted by the Kingdom of Bahrain to the Security Council, noting the UAE’s support for this initiative aimed at enhancing navigation security in the Strait of Hormuz, stressing that the Strait is an international waterway and may not be subject to unilateral restrictions or conditions imposed by any country.
Her Excellency Al Hashemi reiterated the UAE’s call on Iran to immediately stop its brutal terrorist threats and attacks, comply with its obligations under international law, respect freedom of navigation and allow commercial ships to sail safely.
Her Excellency stressed the need to address all Iranian threats fully and comprehensively, including nuclear capabilities, ballistic missiles and drones, its agents and terrorist arms in the region, and the blockade of international sea lanes.
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