FNC backs UAE leadership’s move to safeguard national security

Abu Dhabi / WAM

The Federal National Council (FNC), held the 18th session of the second ordinary session of the 16th legislative chapter which was chaired by Dr Amal Abdullah Al Qubaisi, Speaker of the FNC.
During the meeting, discussions revolved around a report from the Financial, Economic and Industrial Affairs Committee on the reservations of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan concerning the FNC’s amendments to a draft federal law on tax procedures. Nine various questions to FNC representatives were also addressed during the meeting.
In her speech during the session, Dr. Al Qubaisi said, “We are following, with keen interest, regional and international developments, especially concerning the recent positions taken by official Qatari
authorities and the media towards GCC countries.”
“The Federal National Council expresses its full support of the decisions taken by the wise leadership of the UAE that ensures national stability and security, and its peoples’ best
interests,” she added.
The FNC Speaker also praised the leadership’s enthusiasm to uphold the bonds of kinship, history, and religion between the UAE and Qatari people, and to work in a manner that preserves the integrity and progress of the GCC countries whilst facing growing challenges in the region.
She expressed her hope that Qatari authorities would centre their attention on the historical ties and national interests of Qatar and other GCC states’ citizens which bind the peoples of the GCC over any other interests.
The FNC also congratulated the State of Kuwait on its election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the years 2018 and 2019. According to the FNC, this step translates to the confidence of the international community in the capabilities of Kuwaiti diplomacy, and its positive role in addressing regional and global issues. The FNC expressed its wishes for success to Kuwait in representing
the Arab world at the UN
Security Council.
Speaking on the recent abhorrent terrorist attacks, Dr. Al Qubaisi said, “Terrorist organisations continue to enact their vile crimes, even during the Holy Month of Ramadan, shedding the blood of innocent victims in different parts of the world, with false religious values that deceive the world and goes against any shred of human consciousness,” strongly condemning the despicable terrorist attacks that led to dozens of civilian casualties in Qatif, Saudi Arabia, in the UK, and in the Afghan capital of Kabul. She highlighted that the aggravated acts by this terrorist phenomenon underscored the growing challenges faced to address international security and stability.
Dr. Al Qubaisi called for tougher and resolute international action not only against criminal organisations, but also against parties directly and indirectly involved, particularly parties financing such terrorist acts.

, providing support or shelter to terrorist organisations, or any media or political positions that advocate extremist ideologies and give voice to those that incite hatred.
The FNC also affirmed the full support of the UAE and its solidarity with friendly nations that have been subjected to terrorist crimes, assuring that the nation will take all necessary measures to combat terrorism and
extremism.
In other issues, Dr. Al Qubaisi said that the progress of the UAE’s cultural achievements continues to position itself among the best countries globally in various fields.
She also pointed out the continuation of qualitative leaps achieved by the country in various fields, which, she said, sends a clear message of the UAE’s pioneering role regionally and globally.
The FNC Speaker added that World Competitiveness Yearbook, an annual report published by the Swiss-based International Institute for Management Development, IMD, for 2017, ranked the UAE first in the region and 10th globally among the most competitive countries across the globe.
Al Qubaisi noted the great achievements accomplished by the UAE is a manifestation of the UAE’s wise leadership and the government’s effective policies, and the competent Emirati model in the development, planning and exploration of future fields.
She also indicated that the country’s development accomplishments and successes confirm undoubtedly that the country is going ahead on the path of the future with confident steps.
She added, “The annual meetings of the UAE Government will be a promising strategic platform on which to discuss the development challenges facing us in all fields over the next five decades and ways to turn them into opportunities that aim at enhancing development efforts and coordinate work in various sectors between the federal and local departments. This is aimed at integrating the national and development efforts within one national team in the best interest of our precious country.”

She concluded by saying that the FNC hails the supportive national plan for the country’s competitiveness in the 21st century. Dr. Al Qubaisi also reiterated that the FNC pledges to make all possible and sincere efforts that work within one national team, as it seeks to position the UAE as one of the most advanced countries in the world.