ABU DHABI // The Arab Parliamentary Union has renewed support for the UAE’s sovereignty over the occupied islands of Abu Musa, Greater Tunb and Lesser Tunb and backed measures taken by the country to regain sovereignty over the land.
In a final statement issued at the end of its 23rd meeting in Cairo on Monday, the APU called on Iran to translate its desire to improve relations with Arab countries into tangible steps by responding to the UAE’s calls to resolve the issue of its occupied islands through peaceful means by direct negotiation or referral to the International Court of Justice.
The Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) urged Arab parliaments to ensure that the case of the UAE’s occupied islands is raised during all contact with Iran at international parliamentary events to affirm the need to resolve the issue, according to Wam news agency.
A delegation from the UAE’s Federal National Council headed by speaker Dr Amal Al Qubaisi attended the meetings.
The final IPU statement also reiterated that the Palestinian issue was a primary cause and demanded implementation of all resolutions issued in previous conferences.
Participants agreed to a proposal tabled by IPU chairman Nabih Barri on the formation of a special parliamentary committee to provide support to the Palestinian people.
The committee will be chaired by Marzouq Al Ghanim, a former speaker of the Kuwaiti Umma council.
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