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Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, and new US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stressed the significance of the Gaza ceasefire agreement for regional stability during a phone call.
Sheikh Abdullah and Mr Rubio underlined the need to advance “post-conflict planning” for the long-term governance and security of the enclave and discussed the importance of delivering humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip in the talks, the US State Department said.
The UAE minister congratulated Mr Rubio on his appointment as the US's top diplomat in Donald Trump's White House administration. The former Florida senator, who has served on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, will be a key figure in guiding US foreign policy.
Sheikh Abdullah said he was eager to work with Mr Rubio to “enhance the friendship and strategic partnership between the UAE and the US, contributing to regional and international peace and security”, state news agency Wam reported on Thursday.
The two men reviewed regional and global developments and efforts to combat extremism and hatred, promote tolerance and coexistence, and support worldwide peace, stability and development during the call.
The US State Department said Sheikh Abdullah and Mr Rubio discussed “the importance of the US-UAE partnership for peace and stability in the region”.
“They committed to elevate the relationship and work together on shared opportunities and to counter common threats,” spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said. “They discussed the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, the release of the hostages, and humanitarian aid for Gaza.
“The secretary reinforced the significance of this agreement for regional security and stability and the need to continue implementation, and further discussions to advance post-conflict planning for the governance and security of Gaza for the longer-term.”
UAE call for peace
Sheikh Abdullah reaffirmed the UAE’s position that a comprehensive peace must be based on the two-state solution in talks with Gideon Saar, Israel’s Foreign Minister, earlier this month.
He said this would bring stability and achieve sustainable security in the region while ending the violence. Protecting the lives of civilians and making every effort to enable the flow of urgent humanitarian aid must be a priority, Sheikh Abdullah added.
