ABU DHABI, 2 April 2006 — The United Arab Emirates has signed a memorandum of understanding with Britain for security cooperation. Interior Minister Sheikh Saif ibn Zayed Al-Nahayan signed the agreement for the UAE and Kim Howells, minister of state for Foreign and Commonwealth Office, signed for Britain.
Senior officials, including Maj. Gen. Saif Al-Shaafar, undersecretary at the Interior Ministry and Maj. Gen. Muhammad Al-Jenaiby, deputy commander of police in Abu Dhabi, attended the signing ceremony.
The eight-page security pact calls for cooperation in combating terrorist activities, all types of organized crime and illicit trade in drugs, narcotics, weapons and explosives as well as weapons of mass destruction and their components. “The agreement also covers joint efforts to fight economic crimes, money laundering, Internet crime and forgery,” an official statement said.
The two countries will also exchange information related to wanted criminals and missing persons and provide information to prevent crimes and complete investigations. The MOU also includes conducting joint training courses to improve the skills and capabilities of security officers.
“The agreement reflects the UAE’s desire to strengthen international cooperation to combat all forms of crime,” Sheikh Saif said after signing the accord. “This MOU is part of a series of security agreements signed by the UAE with other countries,” he said, adding that such accords were aimed at strengthening security and stability in the world.
Answering a question from reporters, Sheikh Saif said the UAE law protects freedom of movement of individuals, capital and products. “But we’ll not allow anybody to exploit this freedom to cause harm to others,” he pointed out.
Howells was also enthusiastic about the agreement and said its results would be felt from now on. “This agreement is very significant in our fight against terrorism and is essential to protect our bilateral interests,” the British minister said.
“Cooperation between UK and UAE law enforcement agencies has already led to some notable successes. This memorandum of understanding ... will further improve cooperation between our two countries in the fight against terrorism and international crime,” Howells said.
The British minister also met Sultan ibn Nasser Al-Suwaidi, governor of the UAE Central Bank, and discussed areas of co-operation in financial matters, and on the MOU signed recently by the UK and UAE on exchanging information related to money laundering and terrorist financing.
The UAE has already signed similar accords with Germany, Italy and Yemen.
