UAE enjoys good relations with its land neighbours which are Oman and Saudi Arabia. There was a dispute regarding land boundaries with Oman, however an agreement was signed and ratified with Oman in 2003 for entire border. At the same time relations with Saudi Arabia have also been good despite the fact that the exact alignment of the boundary with Saudi Arabia is still unknown and is currently labelled as approximate.

Despite having a dispute with Iran over the three islands of Greater and Lesser Tunb and Abu Mussa, both countries continue to enjoy full diplomatic and trade relations. UAE's strong regional and international standing is illustrated by its membership in of 41 international organisations including: Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC), the Arab league, Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Organisation of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC), International Labour Organisation (ILO), the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and UN. Such high level of membership and participation in international organisations are an advantage and a strength for the country in terms of protecting its interests. UAE's membership in such organisations also provide the country's leadership with a useful mechanism to improve political, security and economical interests and relations of the country at regional and international level.

At the same time the UAE enjoys good political and economic relations with the EU and Asian countries. The UAE government also has strong trade tides with the US. It has provided what has been described as valuable support to U.S. interests in the Persian Gulf region. This includes facilities for an aerial refueling unit that supports Operation Southern Watch as part of U.N. sanctions against Iraq, and liberty privileges for U.S. service members at the port of Jebel Ali.

By: Meir Javedanfar- www.meepas.com

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