Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Foreign Minister, has said that relations between the United Arab Emirates and the United States are "at their best", and that the current visit to Abu Dhabi by the US Secretary of State, John Kerry, is evidence of the strength of the relationship. Addressing a joint press conference with Kerry, Sheikh Abdullah noted that "the UAE has a nuclear programme which is peaceful, transparent and witnesses acceptance and international partnership and we are not going to enrich uranium.'' According to WAM, Sheikh Abdullah said Mr. Kerry's visit to the UAE was ''fruitful and successful'', pointing out that General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, met on Sunday with Kerry, and exchanged views on a broad range of issues in the region with the emphasis on discussions regarding the Geneva 2 conference on Syria and the positive developments in Egypt. ''Kerry's visit to Egypt was strong and positive and a testimony of the US and international community's support for the road map in Egypt,'' Sheikh Abdullah added. ''We have discussed the Middle East peace process in which Mr. Kerry is making tremendous efforts,'' he said. Sheikh Abdullah said, "We encourage dialogue between the international powers and Iran in the P5+1 meeting, be it the previous or the current one, and we believe that political and diplomatic dialogue is the best way for a solution but Iran should show good faith and intention and be clear and transparent about its nuclear programme with the International Atomic Energy Agency and the international community alike.'' For his part, Mr. Kerry said that US relations are strategic and strong, based on commitment and joint security. Kerry said the parties agreed that the best end of the crisis in Syria will be through peaceful means, adding that the crisis has killed many Syrians and fuelled violent extremism and increased acts of terrorists who pose a serious threat to regional and international security. The US Secretary of State commended the UAE's role in supporting the Syrian people to realize their goals and aspirations and its support for the Syrian opposition, and the convening of the Geneva 2 conference as soon as possible.
