Gargash heads UAE team to FMs' meet 

(MENAFN - Khaleej Times) Deputy Kuwaiti Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Shaikh Sabah Al Khalid Al Sabah inaugurated the preparatory meeting of the foreign ministers ahead of the Asian Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) Summit to be held here on October 16-17.

Dr Anwar Mohammed Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, led the UAE delegation to the meetings on Saturday. The final communique includes 22 articles on the economic cooperation among the Asian countries.

The UAE minister thanked Kuwait for hosting the forum, lauding the initiative of His Highness Shaikh Sabah Al Ahmed Al Jaber Al Sabah, Amir of Kuwait, for inviting the leaders to attend the first forum. "It reflects the keenness of Kuwait on boosting the cooperation among the Asian countries," Gargash said.

He also thanked the Kingdom of Thailand, general coordinator of the forum, for its efforts. Gargash welcomed the joining of Afghanistan to the forum. He added that the membership has so far reached 32 states.

The UAE minister underlined that the summit would be convened amid rapid changes being experienced by the world, adding that "this requires concerted efforts to adopt firm strategies to further strengthen 20 cooperation fields endorsed by the member states". He added that the UAE has given the issues of international security and peace a maximum priority in the light of its respect to the United Nations convention and international law provisions, especially in respect of sovereignty of countries, non-interference in the internal affairs, non-use of violence or threat, and resort to the amicable means to settle the conflicts.

Gargash added that "this firm political strategic method of the UAE is not confined to the bilateral and regional relations, but also reflects in its approach in tackling the whole issues".