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'Actors destabilising region impede development aspirations'

Sofia - Sheikh Abdullah said that state actors were behind sophisticated attacks on oil tankers, civilian sites.

Actors that seek to destabilise the Middle East and North Africa with their backwards, extremist stances, impede the region's ultimate development goals, said His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
Photos: Inside Saudi airport after Houthi attack
"We depend on friendly nations, like that of Bulgaria, to confront with us the fascist regimes that seek to destroy the region through peaceful means, spreading values of tolerance and success. Together, we can prevail over darkness," the minister added.
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed's remarks were made during a press conference in the Bulgarian capital, Sofia, alongside Ekaterina Zaharieva, Bulgaria's Deputy Prime Minister for Judicial Reform and Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Also watch: Iran Revolutionary Guard behind attack on oil tankers
According to the UAE minister, the two sides touched on the recent developments in the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, as well as the attacks on Saudi Arabia by Houthi militias that targeted the Kingdom's two pump stations on its East-West pipeline, and the Abha International Airport injuring several civilians.
"We are in a complex region that has many resources, whether gas or oil, that are necessary for the world. We want the flow of said resources to remain safe, and to ensure the stability of the global economy. We must also secure our peoples and our economies," Sheikh Abdullah affirmed.
"For us, the attacks on four oil tankers in the UAE's territorial waters are evidence that we, alongside our various partner countries, have identified as underwater explosions, utilising sophisticated technologies."
"These capabilities," he added, "are not present in illegal non-state actors or groups. These are disciplined processes carried out by a state. However, until now, there is insufficient evidence to point to a particular country."
He went on to note that the area in which the incidents took place has vital economic and geopolitical significance and that interruptions like the four attacks can lead to impeding the global supply of oil.
His Highness explained that there were some 184 oil and shipping vessels, among others, in the area where the first attacks took place last month.
"This was a real threat to global maritime shipping," His Highness warned.
Sheikh Abdullah reiterated, "We must work together to spare the region from escalation, and give the voice of wisdom a chance.
"We have to work together to remove these tensions. We hoped that the efforts of the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe would succeed. The German foreign minister was present a few days ago in the region, and we remain hopeful in attaining a broader framework for cooperation with Iran."
"The P5+1 deal," His Highness added, "had two major flaws. The first being the lack of involvement with regional countries during the dialogue process. The second, not containing Iran's ballistic missiles capabilities, and its interference in the internal affairs of neighbouring countries."
"Real regional security and stability will only be attained when regional actors work together. Our region is the main energy supplier to the world; our safety and security is key to ensuring prosperity and stability for all," he affirmed.
Commenting on UAE-Bulgaria ties, Sheikh Abdullah said that relations between the two countries are based on trust, and a willingness by both parties to work together to bring about new horizons for cooperation. He added that the two countries must work hard to promote bilateral ties, particularly in the trade and investment and tourism sectors.
The minister opened the new UAE embassy in the European country.
Sheikh Abdullah expressed his gratitude for the warm reception, stressing that the latest visit reflects joint efforts to expand ties between the UAE and Bulgaria further. "We also have a joint mission to ensure the success of Bulgaria's participation at Expo 2020 Dubai," he added.