UAE, Germany in 'broad agreement' on Iran

Sun, 10 Jan 2010

Abu Dhabi - The United Arab Emirates and Germany are in "very broad agreement" on the proper response to Iran's controversial nuclear program, Germany's foreign minister said in Abu Dhabi Sunday. UAE President Sheikh Kalifah bin-Zayed al-Nahyan, speaking alongside German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle in Abu Dhabi, told reporters that Iran was an "ally."

"We hope that Iran behaves in a way that makes sanctions unnecessary," Sheikh Khalifah said.

"We, in the UAE, are particularly affected as neighbors of Iran. We are trying everything to cooperate with Iran. But we also see with great concern that Iran is not acting transparently with regard to its nuclear program," he said.

"We want to say in all clarity that we demand more cooperation and collaboration from Iran. That would also be in Iran's interest," Sheikh Khalifah said.

The United Arab Emirates has financial dealings with Iran, but has long looked with suspicion at its nuclear program, and is in a longstanding dispute with its neighbor across the Gulf over islands claimed by both.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/302988,uae-germany-in-broad-agreement-on-iran.html.