(With photos) ABU DHABI, April 16 (KUNA) -- The UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nuhayyan said Monday Iran's domestic problems, including the plummeting currency and faltering economy, prompted Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to visit the UAE island of Abu Moussa on Wednesday, April 11.
"The Iranian occupation of the three UAE islands of Abu Moussa, Greater Tunb and Lesser Tunb in the strategic Strait of Hormuz poses a grave risk to the international peace and security," Sheikh Abdullah cautioned.
The three islands are located at the crossing point of 40 percent of the world's energy supplies, he noted at a joint press conference here with Indian Foreign Minister Somanahalli Krishna following the tenth session of UAE-India Joint Committee.
"I call upon Iran to listen to voice of reason and put an end to the standoff whose repercussions could not be contained by either the UAE or Iran in future," the UAE News Agency (WAM) quoted Sheikh Abdullah as saying.
"We are serious to settle the dispute about the UAE Islands occupied by Iran (since 1971). But due to the internal Iranian issues, among others, drop of Iranian currency and economy, avoiding tackling of the European and world stance, Iran seems resolved to export its concerns to a marginal issue.
"It is regrettable that a Muslim and neighboring country with civilization and traditions behaves in such a manner. It (Iran) is supposed to behave rationally and not to project its internal concerns abroad. In this case consequences can be dangerous," he pointed out.
For his part, the Indian Foreign Minister thanked Sheikh Abdullah for the UAE's hosting of the joint committee meeting, good hospitality and reception.
Krishna added that the two sides discussed the bilateral relations and ways to boost them in the areas of trade investment, culture, energy, transport, telecommunications, oil, gas, business and consular affairs.
The Indian foreign minister lauded the role played by the UAE in the regional and international arenas, especially in combating the maritime piracy and terrorism in order to achieve the international security and peace.
He hoped that the volume of mutual trade would grow with the next years, in addition to setting up of support team to back the trade, investment, economic and energy fields.
Sheikh Abdullah and the Indian foreign minister signed the minutes of meeting of the joint committee on the cooperation in the economic, trade, investment, security, judicial, educational, customs and energy fields.
Undersecretary of the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs Jumaa Mubarak Al Junaibi and India Ambassador to UAE M. K. Lokesh signed the memorandum of understanding for setting up the joint consular committee.
Musbeh Mohammad Al Suwaidi, Assistant Undersecretary for Support Services Affairs at the Ministry of Finance and the Indian Ambassador also signed the second protocol on amendment of the agreement between the two governments on prevention of double taxation and tax evasion. (end) bmj.gb KUNA 162002 Apr 12NNNN