To imagine the future of the growing strategic partnership between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, you need to understand the vision of the leadership of both countries for this promising partnership.
His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, recently visited the United Arab Emirates.
The visit expressed a strong common willingness to continue to strengthen the partnership through ongoing institutional work based on being aware of common challenges and learning from the historical realities, geography, commandments and visions of the founding fathers.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, told the second meeting of the Joint Coordinating Council that “the formation of the Saudi-UAE Coordinating Council under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates and the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia, came to translate these strong ties, and the objective of making them stronger and solid and building a bright future for our two countries.”
This was also confirmed by the words of HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince of the Kingdom, at the opening of the Joint Coordination Council meeting.
“The depth of the relationship has been clearly reflected in the harmony of the Emirate-Saudi Coordination Council’s vision with the national strategies of both countries and in the integration of the Saudi Vision 2030 and the UAE Vision 2021, which are designed to ensure, God willing, sustainable prosperity and development for our peoples and restore hope and promote progress in the region,” he said.
His Highness said that 2020 would be the year of the international achievements of this partnership. The Kingdom will chair the G20 this year and the United Arab Emirates will host Expo 2020, a testament to the global position of both countries. As the Crown Prince said, both sides are committed to building an exceptional model based on the strengths of both countries and the spirit of determination shown by both peoples.
One of the strengths of the strategic partnership between Saudi Arabia and the UAE is that it is based on the strength of innovation, creativity and excellence among the leaders of both countries. Among the many initiatives mentioned by the Joint Coordinating Council are the common tourist visa for residents of both countries, the common food security strategy, the cybersecurity initiative, the common digital currency and the Saudi-Emirati Youth Council.
The partnership between Saudi Arabia and the UAE is a major strategic gain for regional and international security and stability. The conscious vision of the leaders of both countries can navigate the ship of the region to a safe harbor. There is a common need to consolidate security and defuse tensions, conflicts and crises so that both countries can achieve their development vision in a stable environment.
The development of this fraternal partnership is in the interest of the security of the Gulf region. It also increases the chances of restoring the entire Arab regional system to its strengths and eliminating the causes of its weakness and decline in recent years.
The visit of the Saudi Crown Prince to the United Arab Emirates probably attested to the fact that the strategic partnership between the two countries is there to last. This comprehensive institutional system sets the course for mutual cooperation in the years and decades to come. Rumors, speculation and media projects aimed at sowing discord will not affect this partnership.
For both parties, the interests of their people and their country are combined in a strategic perspective that takes into account historical realities and challenges. They intend to strengthen existing fraternal ties by adapting to any change and structuring institutional work oriented towards progress.
In this sense, the younger generations of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are the very heart of the dream of the leaders of both countries. That is why they are striving to achieve this through strong will and serious joint action. Here is maybe an inspiring model for the Gulf countries, the Arab countries and the whole world.
