Relations between the UAE and Saudi Arabia have been the subject of speculation, analysis and expectations in recent times.
Many have fallen into the trap of wishful analysis—promoted by some media hostile to the Saudi Arabian-led coalition, and the well-known critics—of the growing strategic partnership between the Kingdom and the UAE.
But those who are familiar with the foundations of the strategic relationship between the two countries also know that the illusions in the imagination of these promoters could not be far from the truth.
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, recently visited the UAE. During this visit, there were lively discussions along with a beautiful fraternal celebration.
The visit demonstrated that the strategic partnership established by the leaders of the two countries is growing, maturing and getting stronger over time. It is based not on short-term interest calculations, but on factors and foundations that make it possible to achieve long-term strategic interests.
During this visit, the strategic partnership was greatly spurred by the second meeting of the Saudi-Emirati Coordinating Council in Abu Dhabi, chaired by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz.
Indicators revealing the strength of the ties between the two countries came out of this historic meeting.
“My brother and dear friend Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz, I am happy to welcome you to your family in the UAE and I greet through your kind person the Saudi people,” the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, told his Saudi counterpart at the welcome address.
His Highness also addressed the specificity of UAE-Saudi relations, quoting the words of founding leader Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Asked about Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Zayed answered: “The UAE is with Saudi Arabia body and soul. We believe that our destiny is the same and that we must be united and cooperate.”
Trust in this partnership is based on the fact that it does not depend on the traditional Arab-Arab ties of brotherhood, interests and community of destiny. Although very strong and influential, these factors are no longer sufficient to ensure continuity and growth.
As such, the Saudi-UAE Coordination Council is achieving important results on the ground and is actively engaged in the development of this partnership and deepening its foundations.
In this regard, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan stressed that “the Council has launched specific initiatives in the last short period to achieve the well-being of the people of both countries.”
His Highness highlighted the forward-looking vision of this partnership: “Our common economy is ranked 16th in the world and we can work together to become one of the top 10 economies in the world. Our foreign investments currently exceed $250 billion in various economic sectors and our funds are ranked first in the world. We will increase our investments to be among the top ten global investors. Our financial markets exceed $720 billion. We want to be among the top ten global financial markets.”
In fact, the present and future foundations of this partnership offer a unique model of integration, which not only benefits both countries and peoples, but can also serve as a dynamic engine for Gulf-Gulf cooperation and is an edifying example of Arab cooperation based on effective planning and common interests.
In this context, in retrospect to the history of relations between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, we can say that relations are at their pinnacle. His Highness the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi described as a historical transformation the way relations have evolved in recent years.
The Joint Coordinating Council plays a central role in the development of this partnership. It is, as described by the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, “a model platform for achieving the vision of the two leaderships, namely to strengthen cooperation and integration in various fields between the two countries.”
