WAM ABU DHABI, 20th October 2013 (WAM) — The United Arab Emirates has followed with great interest the decision of Saudi Arabia to turn down a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council, according to a statement today from H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan, U.A.E. Foreign Minister.
"The United Arab Emirates understands the situation of general frustration that led the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to make this decision, and the reasons given in the official statement of the Saudi Foreign Ministry, including the inaction of the Security Council on a number of regional historical and urgent issues. This inaction continues to lead to several negative consequences for the security and stability of the region and the rights and lives of its peoples," H.H. Sheikh Abdullah said.
"Affirming its total belief in international mechanisms and teamwork, the U.A.E. considers that Saudi Arabia’s preliminary decision touches the conscience of Arabs and Muslims, especially in relation to the failure of these mechanisms to deal objectively with the issues and concerns of the region, even, in several cases, marginalising the views and stances of these countries on their vital and crucially momentous issues," he added.
H.H. Sheikh Abdullah said that "Based on this, the United Arab Emirates backs the Saudi decision as a judicious and prudent stance which seeks to address the failure of the mechanisms of international teamwork and thus establish more fair and effective foundations for the way the UN Security Council deals with regional issues." He concluded "Saudi Arabia’s decision puts the United Nations, the permanent members of the Security Council and the Secretary-General in particular, in front of a historic responsibility to review the Council’s role, its powers and its charter after its international credibility was impacted as a result of its weak performance, particularly the incapacitating divisions in the Council." — WAM/MMYS/CM
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