November 21, 2013 - Abu Dhabi - Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird and His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister of the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.), today issued the following joint statement from the United Arab Emirates:
“Six months ago, we announced the Canada-U.A.E. Shared Strategic Agenda, which reflects our commitment to work together on issues of common interest. To this end, we agreed to cooperate in the pursuit of our shared goals of enhancing economic prosperity for our respective societies, strengthening regional and international security and cooperating on development objectives in third countries.
“We have made significant progress in the past six months alone. We are setting ambitious targets for the next six months. In addition to advancing our shared interests under the existing three pillars of the strategic partnership (prosperity, security, and development), we have agreed on an additional area of collaboration: regional issues.
“We have asked our senior officials to report back on the progress made over the last six months and to explore concrete goals and recommendations on how our strategic partnership can be strengthened.
“Today, we are pleased to announce the following:
- “We jointly note the more moderate tone of President Rouhani’s administration and urge him to follow through on his promises but also note that Iran must be judged by its deeds and not its words. Only verifiable, irreversible and measurable progress to resolve nuclear non-compliance will demonstrate Iran’s commitment to a more constructive mode of engagement with the region and with the international community.
- “The success of the transition in Egypt is a vital concern to both countries. Canada and the U.A.E. have had a shared assessment of the challenges and opportunities facing Egypt. We are committed to supporting the progress being made on the implementation of the road map and to advancing our common objective of a stable, inclusive, prosperous and democratic Egypt. To this end, Canada and the U.A.E. will explore joint initiatives where we can work together to achieve this.
- “Canada and the U.A.E. jointly condemn the violence in Syria and remain resolute that only a political solution will lead to lasting peace. We condemn the Assad regime for its use of chemical weapons. We call for an end to violence and the targeting of innocent civilians. We share a grave concern over the increasing radicalization of the various groups fighting in Syria. We are both invested in working to meet the humanitarian needs of the long-suffering Syrian people and express deep concern at the fast-deteriorating humanitarian tragedy.
- “In September 2013, Canada met with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to discuss the benefits of a Canada-GCC Strategic Dialogue. We recognize the growing and constructive role of the GCC in the region and beyond. We look forward to continued Canadian engagement in the GCC context.
“We have asked our senior officials to report back to us in six months on the progress achieved on the agenda we have today.
“Since agreeing on the Shared Strategic Agenda, both countries now see even more clearly our long-term interest in cooperating with each other, including on our shared vision for regional and global security, stability and prosperity.”
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