The United Arab Emirates and Germany are in "very broad agreement" on the proper response to Iran's controversial nuclear programme, Germany's foreign minister said in Abu Dhabi Sunday, dpa reported.
UAE President Sheikh Khalifah bin-Zayed al-Nahyan, speaking alongside German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle in Abu Dhabi, told reporters that Iran was an "ally."
"We hope that Iran behaves in a way that makes sanctions unnecessary," Sheikh Khalifah said.
"We, in the UAE, are particularly affected as neighbours of Iran. We are trying everything to cooperate with Iran. But we also see with great concern that Iran is not acting transparently with regard to its nuclear programme," he said.
"We want to say in all clarity that we demand more cooperation and collaboration from Iran. That would also be in Iran's interest," Sheikh Khalifah said.
The United Arab Emirates has financial dealings with Iran, but has long looked with suspicion at its nuclear programme, and is in a longstanding dispute with its neighbour across the Gulf over islands claimed by both.
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