Dubai: Former French president Francois Hollande condemned on Tuesday the move by the United States to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel at a time of high political and military tensions around the world.
Speaking to delegates at the 10th annual Arab Strategy Forum in Dubai, Hollande criticised President Donald Trump’s unilateral declaration as unwise and inflammatory for a region already steeped in political and religious strife.
The forum draws global thinkers, visionaries, academics and business leaders every year and is hosted at the Ritz-Carlton — Dubai International Financial Centre under heavy security.
Hollande questioned the reasoning behind the move noting that “it has no proper effect on the behaviour of the Israeli government” or its President Benjamin Netanyahu.
Instead of dividing peoples in the Middle East, countries and their leaders should be working towards resolutions to long-standing conflicts, he said.
“We have to share with our Arab friends the road to negotiating; this is the European responsibility,” Hollande said.
Putting up major road blocks to peace is not the way forward, he said, and can only be accomplished with all parties on board.
“The unity of Arabs is essential, it will allow us to find unity and balance,” Hollande said.
World experts at the forum echoed Hollande’s concerns that economic, political and religious challenges lie ahead in an uncertain 2018 regionally and globally.
But countries such as the UAE who are embracing change. said experts, will survive the year ahead and well into beyond, said speakers and panellists.
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who attended the forum, acknowledged that being prepared for the hard work ahead is critical.
“Through the Arab Strategy Forum, we are trying to politically and economically anticipate the future,” tweeted His Highness Shaikh Mohammad. “The Arab world is going through rapid political and economic changes, and countries that cannot keep up with the changes risk falling behind for many years.”
“Changes in 2018 will be positive for the UAE, because it is amply prepared economically, politically and scientifically. We have a diverse economic base and strong international trade flow, as well as immense experience that qualifies us to deal with and benefit from economic changes in 2018,” tweeted Shaikh Mohammad.
“Major Arab nations will witness huge economic reforms in the coming year. From an economic perspective, I am optimistic about 2018. We hope that 2018 will be a breakthrough year for some critical Arab crises,” he added. More info
By Derek Baldwin, Chief Reporter gulfnews.com
