Saqr Ghobash praises Belgrade’s positions in support of the UAE and stresses the importance of parliamentary diplomacy in promoting peace and development

Federal National Council Speaker Saqr Ghobash affirmed that relations between the United Arab Emirates and the Republic of Serbia are witnessing rapid development based on the strategic partnership and common vision that brings together His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, may God protect him, and the President of the Republic of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, noting that this distinguished relationship has contributed to advancing bilateral cooperation to broader horizons in various political, economic, investment, and development fields.

This came during a special session held by the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia to receive the delegation of the Federal National Council, headed by Saqr Ghobash, Speaker of the Council, within the framework of the official visit that the delegation is making to the friendly Republic of Serbia.

The session reflected the distinguished status enjoyed by the Emirati-Serbian relations, and the common interest in strengthening parliamentary cooperation between the Federal National Council and the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, as the Speaker of the National Assembly, Ana Brnabic, opened the session and introduced Saqr Ghobash to the audience, before inviting him to deliver his speech before the Serbian Parliament.

The session witnessed the presence of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia, the Speaker of the National Assembly, a number of government members, members of the Serbian Parliament, ambassadors and representatives of the diplomatic corps, in addition to members of the Federal National Council delegation.

In her welcoming speech, the President of the National Assembly stressed the importance of the visit in supporting friendly relations and cooperation between the two countries and enhancing parliamentary communication between the two legislative institutions, praising the role played by the Federal National Council in supporting the parliamentary diplomacy of the UAE.

Saqr Ghobash expressed his deep thanks and appreciation to the Speaker of the National Assembly and members of the Serbian Parliament for the warm reception, stressing that holding this special session embodies the depth of the friendly relations and cooperation between the United Arab Emirates and the Republic of Serbia.

At the beginning of his speech, Saqr Ghobash conveyed the greetings of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, “may God protect him,” to the leadership and people of the Republic of Serbia, stressing the appreciation of the leadership and people of the UAE for the relations that bring the two countries together based on mutual respect, trust, common interests, and ambition towards a more cooperative and prosperous future.

Saqr Ghobash appreciated the position of the Republic of Serbia’s leadership, parliament and people in supporting the United Arab Emirates and standing by its side in the face of the blatant Iranian and terrorist attacks that targeted its security, stability, and model of a civilized national state, its vital civil institutions, and its peaceful nuclear program.

He also appreciated the visit of the Serbian President to the UAE last March and his condemnation of the Iranian terrorist attacks that targeted the UAE, pointing out that the Serbian President came to the UAE carrying the meaning of friendship that goes beyond politics.

He said that the Emirati-Serbian relations derive their strength from the special relationship that brings together the leadership of the two countries, which has transcended the boundaries of traditional political communication to become a strategic lever for joint cooperation and a major driver for developing the partnership in the fields of economy, investment, development and institutional cooperation.

He added that this relationship, based on trust, mutual respect and a shared vision, gave bilateral relations a special character and made them more capable of moving from political understanding to practical projects and from friendship to strategic partnership.

His Excellency stressed the Federal National Council’s aspiration to enhance cooperation with the Serbian National Assembly through exchanging parliamentary visits, activating parliamentary friendship committees, coordinating positions in international parliamentary forums, and expanding dialogue on issues of common interest.

He pointed out that the UAE was founded on a firm vision that believes that development is inseparable from stability, and that building a modern state requires peace, tolerance, openness, work and investment in people. He explained that the state, since the establishment of the Union in 1971, has chosen to be a state of construction, development and partnerships, building bridges between peoples and contributing to improving human life.

He explained that the UAE has succeeded, thanks to the vision of its wise leadership, in building a modern development model based on political stability, economic openness, societal tolerance, the rule of law, and investment in education, infrastructure and innovation, which has been reflected in its foreign policy based on respecting the sovereignty of countries, non-interference in their internal affairs, resolving disputes by peaceful means, supporting international law, promoting economic cooperation, building partnerships, and extending a helping hand to peoples in times of crises.

He said that the UAE has proven in many stages that the true strength of countries does not lie only in their economic or military capabilities, but in their ability to build confidence, create hope, alleviate suffering, and contribute to achieving global stability.

Regarding the regional issue, Saqr Ghobash stressed that the world is going through a delicate phase in which crises are increasing and political, security and economic challenges are intertwined, pointing to the serious developments that the region has witnessed during the last period that have had direct repercussions on the region’s security and stability, the safety of international navigation, the global economy, energy security and supply chains.

He explained that the UAE’s position was clear and responsible since the beginning of the tensions, as it worked through its diplomatic contacts and declared positions to prevent a slide towards war, and called for wisdom to prevail, reduce escalation, and return to political and diplomatic paths, based on its belief that wars do not provide sustainable solutions and that the security of the region is achieved through dialogue, respect for sovereignty, non-interference in internal affairs, and adherence to international law.

He pointed out that the UAE officially and clearly announced that it will not allow its lands, airspace, or waters to be used in any military actions against Iran, stressing that this position embodies a consistent Emirati approach based on not making the country’s lands a starting point for any military action against another country and on protecting the security and stability of the Gulf.

He added that the UAE was subjected during these developments to attacks and threats targeting its security and stability, which the state condemned in the strongest terms and considered it a dangerous escalation that could not be accepted or justified, stressing at the same time the UAE’s adherence to the option of peace and de-escalation while retaining its legitimate right to defend itself and protect its lands and civilian and vital installations in accordance with international law and the Charter of the United Nations.

Saqr Ghobash said that on this day when we meet under the dome of this ancient parliament to talk about dialogue and cooperation between peoples and countries, Iran continues its terrorist attacks on the sisterly State of Kuwait and the sisterly Kingdom of Bahrain, and as we stress from here the position of the UAE in condemning these terrorist attacks, we affirm that our region is still facing serious challenges that require a clear international position in defending the sovereignty of states, rejecting the threat and use of force, and respecting the rules of international law.

Saqr Ghobash stressed that the security of the Arabian Gulf, the safety of sea lanes, and freedom of international navigation represent a shared international responsibility, stressing that any threat to navigation in the Strait of Hormuz or its use as a political or military pressure card does not only affect the countries of the region, but also threatens global energy security, international trade, supply chains, and the stability of the global economy.

He stressed that the UAE views the security of sea lanes and the protection of commercial ships and civil infrastructure as an integral part of world security and stability, noting that any attack on this system reflects negatively on international development and stability.

He said that the recent crisis proved that the Arab Gulf countries are not just energy producing countries or global trade corridors, but rather responsible countries that seek to protect regional and international stability and believe that true security is based on wisdom, partnerships, respect for international law and the sovereignty of states.

He added that the UAE will continue to work with its partners regionally and internationally in order to reduce escalation, protect international navigation, support political solutions, enhance Gulf security, and defend the right of the peoples of the region to development, stability and peace.

He stressed that the region does not need new wars as much as it needs the courage of peace, development and partnerships, pointing out that the UAE carries a message that stability is not weakness, that dialogue is not concession, and that peace is the choice of the strong who are confident in the justice of their positions.

Saqr Ghobash reiterated the UAE’s call to adopt a comprehensive approach to regional security based on reducing escalation, building confidence, respecting the sovereignty of states, rejecting interference in their internal affairs, adhering to international law, ensuring freedom of navigation, protecting civilians, and promoting diplomatic solutions.

He explained that the UAE believes that development represents the deepest solution to the region’s challenges, and that people need education, health care, job opportunities, a stable economy, safe ports, and open markets more than they need conflicts and tensions.

He pointed out that this vision is what drives the UAE to develop its relations with the Republic of Serbia, as an important partner with a strategic location and promising human and economic potential, stressing that cooperation between the two countries provides great opportunities to enhance development, expand investments, and build bridges of communication and understanding between the two regions.

Saqr Ghobash stressed the importance of parliamentary diplomacy in promoting dialogue, building confidence between peoples and societies, and coordinating positions on international issues, noting that the Federal National Council looks forward to developing cooperation and communication mechanisms with the Serbian National Assembly, expanding the exchange of experiences, and coordinating positions in regional and international parliamentary forums in a way that serves peace, development, and respect for international law.

The session was attended by the Serbian side, Speaker of the National Assembly Ana Brnabic, Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia, Joro Matsut, members of the government and parliament, and a number of ambassadors and members of the diplomatic corps.

It was also attended by the UAE Ambassador to the Republic of Serbia, Ahmed Barghash Al Menhali, Saeed Rashid Al Abedi, Humaid Ahmed Al Tayer, Khalid Omar Al Khuraiji, Sheikha Saeed Al Kaabi, Aisha Ibrahim Al Marri, and Hilal Mohammed Al Kaabi, members of the Federal National Council, the Secretary General of the Federal National Council, Dr. Omar Abdul Rahman Al Nuaimi, the Assistant Secretary General for Parliamentary Liaison, Afra Rashid Al Basti, and the Assistant Secretary General for Council Presidency Affairs, Tariq Ahmed. Marzouki.