MOSCOW, October 8 (RIA Novosti) - Canada and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are battling the Islamic State (IS) under the shared opinion that extremist ideologies "have no respect for borders" and demand a unified and global approach, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan wrote for The Globe and Mail on Wednesday.
"Hateful ideologies have no respect for borders, and thus demand a unified and global approach," the minister wrote for the newspaper.
The Sheikh stressed that the situation in Iraq and Syria is a problem that must be dealt with beyond the Middle East. Although the UAE is actively contributing to the growing anti-IS coalition and participating in active combat missions, the minister enthusiastically praised Canada for acting beyond its borders and joining the efforts.
"Canada's willingness to contribute military resources to the coalition, as articulated by Prime Minister Stephen Harper, is a welcome and appreciated step that displays strong leadership and is a credit to all Canadians," the Sheikh wrote, adding that he strongly agreed with Foreign Minister John Baird's statement to the Canadian parliament on Monday, "We must think big for who we are, and what the promise of our people holds for the future."
The UAE foreign minister claimed that the IS could be halted through political and diplomatic means, namely by minimizing the battlefield by "stabilizing trouble spots." Continued cooperation with Syrian moderates in line with the demands of the Syrian people is part of the solution, according to the minister.
The UAE foreign minister traveled throughout Canada in July, with his "colleague, host and friend," Foreign Minister John Baird. The nations celebrated 40 years of diplomatic relations this year. According to the Sheikh, both countries continue to share the same values of tolerance and opposition to terrorism and small-mindedness.
