POLITICS

DECEMBER 3 - 9, 2021 POLITICS

5 Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Tbilisi Celebrates UAE Golden Jubilee

BY MUNIRA ALMARZOOQI, CHARGE D’AFFAIRES OF THE EMBASSY OF THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES IN TBILISI

On the December 2, we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the announcement of the unifi cation of the seven Emirates and the establishment of our country.

This occasion marks a sincere refl ection of the federation's journey, rich in monumental events and achievements, building on the foundation that was fi rst laid down by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and his brothers, the fellow founding fathers. Today, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, follows in their footsteps, leading our nation on its journey towards the future.

Since its foundation, the UAE has followed the principle of promoting security, peace and sustainable development in various parts of the region and the world. Through his vision, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may his soul rest in peace, guided the UAE towards the adoption of a successful and active foreign policy based on balance, moderation, and non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries, in acknowledgement of the role and responsibility the UAE holds at regional and international levels.

In this letter, I would like to refl ect and share most prominent achievements that the country has witnessed.

CULTURAL AND PUBLIC DIPLOMACY:

The UAE was built on Sheikh Zayed's foundational values of tolerance, peace, and stability. His guiding strategy was to show friendship towards all cultures and peoples, promote moderate Islam, and work for mutually advantageous cooperation with all nations.

Today, his historical vision is refl ected in a thriving and tolerant nation that hosts more than 200 nationalities, has a 93% literacy rate, welcomes over 15 million tourists annually, and is proud of the fact that 70% of all its university graduates are women.

Moreover, the UAE is home to over 40 churches and other places of worship, as well as numerous world-class centers of education and culture. In effect, the values of tolerance, religious freedom and mutual respect championed by Sheikh Zayed are ingrained in the UAE's DNA.

“THE DAUGHTERS OF THE UAE”:

pioneering role of Emirati women in all sectors: Emirati women are an integral part in the most prominent achievements of the UAE, attesting to the considerable role and active presence of the daughters of the UAE in various fi elds, as they demonstrate the extent of capabilities and competencies that qualify them to lead and manage several key and vital projects in the sectors of advanced science, space, energy and health. Their role was embodied in the arrival of the “Hope Probe” to the orbit of planet Mars, the beginning of the successful and safe operation of the fi rst reactor at the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, in addition to their success and leadership in efforts to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic locally and globally.

SMART ATTESTATION AND THE FUTURE OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES:

The accelerating surge of business in the UAE has grown conspicuous despite the global pandemic challenges. This stems from the UAE government’s recent orientations to further openness to the world, a return to normal life and attracting talent and business within strategic decisions aimed at enabling the country to elevate its ranking and score in the ease of doing business indicator, particularly after it ranked fi rst regionally and fourth globally in the 2020 Entrepreneurship Index according to the report issued by the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor GEM - NECI, in addition to the indicators of the best and safest destinations for citizens and residents.

ECONOMIC DIPLOMACY:

The UAE has an impressive track record of attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) through favorable tax regulations, developed infrastructure, and minimizing barriers to establishing a business. The UAE continually demonstrates its determination to provide the best possible regulatory environment for investments. The 2018 FDI Law opens up numerous economic sectors for 100% foreign ownership. This new framework supports investments that build regional and global value through production chains focused on advanced and highvalue industries.

HUMANITARIAN DIPLOMACY:

Over the course of a 50-year journey, the UAE has worked to activate its humanitarian role in reducing poverty on a global scale, and helping needy countries and societies, until it became a symbol of goodness and giving. UAE foreign aid has multiplied more than 187 times, with a total value of more than 322 billion dirhams.

Since the beginning of 2020, the Covid19 pandemic has had unprecedented health, economic and social repercussions worldwide, and has had a more severe impact on developing countries. The UAE has taken urgent steps to help the affected countries to contain the spread of the virus, sending supplies, medical supplies and fi eld hospitals to hundreds of fraternal and friendly countries to help them combat and contain the consequences of the pandemic.

POST- PANDEMIC DIPLOMACY, AMBITION AND HOPE IN THE FUTURE:

Believing in the importance of the voice of youth, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MFAIC) Youth Council was allocated a permanent seat in various committees and task forces in the Ministry. They work to develop and foster quality of life and create a positive working environment in the MFAIC.

The Council has worked since its establishment to enhance the lives of young people by encouraging the adoption of a healthy lifestyle, promoting good mental health, adopting positive thinking as a basic value, building life skills, as well as honing and developing the skills, abilities and competencies of the Ministry’s youth, and demonstrating the role and efforts of the UAE in empowering young people and embracing their aspirations and hopes, and advancing diplomatic work based on knowledge and innovation to achieve excellence in foreign policy.

UAE EMBASSY IN GEORGIA:

On this historic occasion, on behalf of Emirati people I would like to express our gratitude and appreciation to the friendly people and Government of Georgia for their hospitality and, at the same time, we would like to cherish the level of distinguished bilateral relations between the UAE and Georgia, based on foundations of cooperation and mutual respect, as witnessed by the exchange of high-level visits between the two countries, alongside trade, economic and cultural exchange, which indicates the strength of bilateral relations in various fi elds.

Afghan Fallout: Consequences and Repercussions for the Region

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the Resolute Support Mission (RSM). In 2012-2014, Georgia had up to 1500 soldiers in Afghanistan: a remarkably clear and tangible demonstration of Tbilisi's commitment to common principles and interests. More recently, we supported the withdrawal of NATO and partner forces from Afghanistan, providing host nation support and full transit facilities through our territory. We have also made signifi cant contributions to various humanitarian aspects of the process. An interagency task force, set up by the Georgian government, provided critical input to ensure the transit of forces and personnel and related support measures. Last but not least, Tbilisi agreed to help several international organizations (e.g. the Asian Development Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank) to evacuate their staff and provide them with temporary accommodation in Georgia.

The controversy in Afghanistan has added to the regional dilemma in the aftermath of the Second Karabakh War, and the United States needs to demonstrate their dedication to pursuing efforts to develop relations with key allies in this geopolitically important region. Specifi c statements embodied in tangible actions must contribute to shaping Washington's Black Sea strategy concept along very clear lines, particularly as any delay in this process would further aggravate the security environment, eventually making any future U-turn quite hypothetical.

What the region needs today is explicit American and more generally Western efforts to deepen trade and economic ties with regionally important nations. In addition to trade and new investments in geopolitically viable opportunities, Georgia also expects a precise roadmap and timeline to NATO membership, or, should the prospect for such membership continue to remain unsure, we clearly need to open discussions with strategic partners on alternative, “compensatory” modalities to upgrade our own security by transforming our strategic partnership into a strategic alliance. Moreover, this transformation must be fast-tracked by innovative, bold and creative leaders at both ends of the process.

Obviously, there are other pragmatic reasons for the West, and especially the Unites States, to deepen cooperation with the countries of the Black Sea and Caspian basins. Abandoning Afghanistan does not mean also abandoning a critical region full of controversies and serious challenges. Among these challenges are the threats posed by various militant networks, be it Jihadists or others, in Afghanistan proper and the wider region, as well as the unpredictability of the new Taliban government. Although the latter has promised to sever its links with various terrorist groups, it remains to be seen how this promise could be fulfi lled. That said, there are of course no assurances that militant groups rooted in and around Afghanistan will stop threatening other countries in the region, or even the United States.

Therefore, some nearby presence of US troops is critical to monitoring, assessing and reacting if and when required. During the Geneva summit, President Putin took a fi rm stance against any US presence in Central Asia regardless of the form this may take, e.g. basing drones, deploying anti-terrorism units, etc. The problem is compounded by the logistical diffi culties posed by the great distances to be covered by US aviation based in Qatar in order to reach Afghanistan and the wider region. Besides, both Russia and China are opposed to the very principle of any US return to Central Asia. These days, Russia is positioning more as a security guarantor, while China is primarily contributing to the economies of Central Asia. Although it is a noticeable recent trend for China collaborating with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, there is also an uplift in China’s security ties with Afghanistan and Central Asia states.

We must also not forget the characteristic reluctance of Central Asian countries to harbor foreign troops on their territories. Understandably enough, in both their actions and messages, the various governments of Central Asia have to tread carefully when dealing with the main actors, particularly as the risks for their region are real, even if Russia and even the United States have been exaggerating them for the past 20 years.

All these complexities lead us to the need to identify some other viable options, and I believe that the wider Black Sea region presents us with some feasible opportunities to contribute further to the efforts of the Western coalition to combat international terrorism and extremism. All in all, the Black Sea and Caspian regions are critically important to the greater Eurasian security landscape. In this regard, the US withdrawal from Afghanistan signals the entry into a new stage of the Great Game for Power. Recent meetings in Moscow between offi cials from Russia, Afghanistan, China, Pakistan, Iran and India clearly herald new geopolitical spirals. It could also be predicted that the wider South AsiaCentral Asia-Caucasus region may fall prey to a new wave of terrorism and radicalization. There is an undoubtedly clear appreciation at our end of the need for new bonds to be forged with our allies and partners that better pursue our common interests. There is indeed no real alternative to this unique "winwin" option, and the United States and our other partners clearly need to devote greater efforts to defi ning and implementing a strategic vision for the Greater Caspian sea region.

US soldiers, part of the NATO- led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), walk west of Kabul, Afghanistan, 2012. Source: AP Photo