WAM Abu Dhabi, May 29th, 2012 (WAM) - Leading British politician Lord Soley has praised the legal structure and rule of law in the United Arab Emirates, founded by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, saying the rule of law has contributed in making the country one of the developed countries in the world in terms of economic prosperity, security, stability, human rights and freedom despite of the multiplicity of cultures and nationalities in the country.

In a lecture at the Emirates Centre for Strategic Studies and Research (ECSSR) yesterday entitled "Rule of Law and the Stable Society", Soley, a former chairman of the Parliamentary Labour Party during the premiership of Tony Blair, expressed his appreciation for the keenness shown by Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, in the development of sections of scientific law, and its studies at state universities, especially Zayed University which, he said, can be considered a prominent centre for the study of law in the region.

Soley said that UAE has the right to be proud of the rule of law as it is essential for business and a modern economy, without which society will not enjoy prosperity and progress and a key reason for the fact that the UAE has become today one of the most attractive countries in the world for overseas investments because of its safe legal environment for investors.

He went on to note that the rule of law can precede democratic structures, help build a commitment to human rights, support a constitutional monarchy and other ancillary issues necessary to protect and enhance a modern nation state.

WAM/ES/AM