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Egypt’s enemy is UAE’s enemy, says Shaikh Saif Allan Jacob / 11 February 2014 Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior states the country’s resolve to wipe out forces that bring instability. The UAE reiterated its backing for the Egyptian government and its people and said any ‘enemy of Egypt is an enemy of the UAE’. Lt-General Shaikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, chose the second Government Summit on Monday to spell out the country’s determination to keep out “any enemy” from spreading its influence in the region. “Egypt was very dear to the late Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is dear to the heart of the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, dear to His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and General Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. Egypt is dear to all of us,’’ he said, while stating the country’s resolve to wipe out forces that bring instability. Shaikh Saif said Shaikh Zayed was preparing Shaikh Khalifa “for a bigger role” when he sent him to Egypt during the Arab conflict with Israel in 1973. “We stood by them against the enemy Israel then, and Shaikh Khalifa, Shaikh Zayed’s eldest son, was sent on the mission,” he said.   Exceptional leadership Elaborating about the values of leadership, he said the Founding Father of the UAE, Shaikh Zayed, had instilled in his sons and citizens certain qualities that had been the hallmark of governance. He shed light on the how UAE ministers lead from the front and said: “If you want exceptional children, you should be exceptional parents; good students should be taught by exceptional teachers, officials should be exceptional.” “If you’re not an exceptional minister, you will not be able to continue in the ministry,” he said to applause. He said the UAE raised the bar for governance and its leaders Shaikh Khalifa, Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan have their ears to the ground. “They monitor what is happening, and interaction between the public and the government is constant. Performance of ministries and departments are measured and there is accountability at all levels,” he said. The President and the Prime Minister, he said, have the same goals and ensure projects are implemented. Citizens are encouraged to participate in decision-making and ministers interact with people on social media.   Development goals Even during the economic crisis in 2008, the country’s leaders did not put a freeze on development projects, the Minister said. “We built roads, buildings, bought aircraft; now real estate is booming again and people are coming in droves for tourism and investment. There is a 40 per cent increase in investments.” Shaikh Saif said the country launched three satellites, hosted the Formula 1 race, Irena headquarters, and won the bid to host Expo 2020. “All this was possible because of internal security measures which have made the UAE a haven of peace. From number 32 on the list, we are number one for security in the region today, which is no mean achievement. We have ensured there is no organised crime in the country,” the Minister said. He also lauded the military for being a strong pillar of the country, and said it made the UAE proud in places as far as Afghanistan and Kosovo.   Smart government stems from imagination Shaikh Zayed saw how far the country could progress back in the fifties, so does Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum today, he said. “Shaikh Mohammed says the government should be electronic because he sees the future. Good leaders see the larger picture and are determined to take their vision through to its logical conclusion.” allan@khaleejtimes.com For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading →