IT is with great pleasure that I arrive in Kuala Lumpur to engage in discussions with Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman and the Malaysian government. There is much to celebrate: not only does this visit allow me to experience the energy and dynamism of a vibrant country, but more importantly, it heralds an ever-stronger partnership between the United Arab Emirates and Malaysia. The future of this relationship is bright, with shared visions and shared challenges and opportunities paving the way for increased trade and cooperation: an outcome that will surely generate greater prosperity for both our countries.
The UAE and Malaysia stand side-by-side on a number of issues, most recently illustrated by the Rohingya crisis. Both Malaysia and the UAE believe that it is vital for the Myanmar government to take immediate steps to end the persecution of the Rohingya people, and both our governments have responded generously to the humanitarian effort. The UAE applauds the Malaysian government for their leadership on this matter, and for offering to temporarily house Rohingya refugees fleeing untold violence. Malaysia should know that they have a partner in the UAE on this matter.
The Middle East is encountering its own human tragedies, often driven by the continuous rise of extremism and terrorism, to which the UAE must respond. We do this by countering extremist narratives through Sawab, the online social media network, by donating billions of dollars to humanitarian and development efforts, and by taking some tough but very necessary decisions when it comes to countering terrorist financing in the region. In addition, we are both members of the Islamic Coalition: a military alliance led by Saudi Arabia that is tasked with countering terrorism in the region. The UAE is proud to stand alongside Malaysia in this worthy effort, and thanks Malaysia for its commitment and involvement. Beyond this, the UAE aims to set an example for the region and to the world of a moderate Islamic society: one in which religion is practiced with kindness, tolerance and understanding, and in which its citizens lead happy, empowered, and secure lives. The Islamic World can, and must walk boldly into the future, without any fear of difference or distinction.
However, we are aware that it is not only the Middle East that must defend itself from terrorism. Increasingly, terrorist cells are emerging in Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Mali, Chad, Mauritania, Nigeria, Burkina Faso and elsewhere. The UAE wishes to convey that it stands firmly with Malaysia and with Asean in its effort to counter extremism and it commends Asean for the productive meeting of defence ministers on this topic held in October. It is this cooperation and determination that will continue to be crucial for terrorism’s ultimate defeat: a defeat we are committed to achieving.
These shared visions and shared challenges and opportunities have formed a solid foundation of trust and understanding on which the UAE and Malaysia have built the thriving trade relationship we now share.
In 2016, trade between the UAE and Malaysia was worth US$4.2 billion (RM17.5 billion) (non-oil trade), with the UAE proud to be part of re-exporting US$3.5 billion worth of Malaysian products to the world. These significant numbers further enhance the UAE’s confidence that there is room for growth, and it is my hope that these discussions will further facilitate trade and economic ties between Malaysia and the UAE now and into the future, bringing more prosperity to the citizens in our regions.
The UAE is committed to being the connecting hub between the east and west. Its re-exporting facilities are part of this effort, with a second crucial element of this strategy being the Dubai Expo 2020. This world-class event will create a platform to foster creativity, innovation, and collaboration globally, focusing this global effort on the sub-themes of mobility, opportunity, and sustainability. The UAE is pleased to have received Malaysia’s positive response to its invitation to participate in Expo 2020, and believes that it will be an opportunity for Malaysia to display its significant investment potential, its extensive natural beauty, and perhaps more importantly, its national story.
It is not just these factors that have shaped the UAE’s thriving relationship with Malaysia. As with all countries, our wealth is in our people, and Malaysians and Emiratis enjoy rich and constant interaction through travel, study, and work.
Last year, over 68,000 Malaysian citizens visited the UAE. The UAE is also proud to host more than 6,600 Malaysian residents in the UAE, who contribute valuably to the everyday life of the UAE. As of 2016, 1,164 Malaysian students studied in UAE schools, colleges, and universities, adding to the rich, varied, and diverse education experience. In return, 206 Emirati students have chosen to seek their education in Malaysian universities and schools, and I am confident that our students have displayed the values that Emirati society holds dear: respect and tolerance.
I believe the upcoming meetings with my Malaysian counterparts will offer an opportunity to build on our two countries’ already strong ties and to bring our security strategies, foreign policy visions, economies, and people closer together. Beyond this, this visit also acts a symbol of the UAE’s commitment to its partnership with Malaysia and will serve as a vital mechanism to continue in our common desire to build a more open, tolerant, connected, and prosperous world.
The writer is United Arab Emirates Minister of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation. He is on a one-day official working visit in Malaysia today.