Strategic relations are founded on a solid network of mutual interests. For many years, joint Arab action was lacking this dimension. Political challenges can only be faced with strength, cooperation and perseverance.
Certainly, building, developing, and sustaining interests does not conflict with feelings of brotherhood and friendship, but strengthens, supports and reinforces interests. But sentiments are no sufficient basis for sustaining relationships and building alliances and friendship.
A most important recent development in the Middle East was the announcement by the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia of a common vision for economic, developmental and military integration through 44 strategic joint projects under the Resolve Strategy. 139 government and military officials worked on this new vision for 12 months, laying out three main axes: the economy, knowledge and society, and politics, security and the military.
The announcement of this strategy coincided with the first meeting of the Saudi-UAE Coordinating Council chaired by His Highness 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 Al Saud, Crown Prince and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Chairman of the Economic and Development Council of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The new strategy answers to the global competitive race.60 months were set to implement the strategic projects aimed at building an exceptional complementarity model between the two countries, supporting the process of joint GCC cooperation, while contributing to protecting the gains and interests and creating new opportunities for the two nations.
Details indicate that the announcement of the strategy culminated a painstaking effort by the experts of the two countries to thoroughly study potential opportunities towards integrated partnership in the Arab and global economy. The UAE and Saudi Arabia accounted for 45.5% of the total domestic Arab GDP for 2017, at $ 1.070 trillion of $ 2.347 trillion. The two countries together are among the 14th largest in terms of GDP. Saudi Arabia ranked 17th in 2017 and the UAE ranked 24th.The Emirates is the largest Gulf exporter to and importer from the KSA.
The strategic security partnership, which has proved its strength and firmness in operations Decisive Storm and Restoring Hope, is moving forwards; the future lies in hands-on cooperation.
The brotherhood ties between the two countries’ leaders are the same for citizens—a great sense of joy and satisfaction translating the desire of the two countries to develop strategic cooperation relations.
More optimistically, the UAE 2021, 2071 visions and Kingdom 2030 vision are three ambitious and promising roadmaps towards the post-oil economy and competitive global economy capacity building, keeping up with the aspirations of new generations and ensuring prosperity and a decent life. Achieving full employment of the potentials and capabilities, serving development goals while meeting the aspirations of the two peoples are expected from the strategy.
Also expected, King Abdullah Economic City will be built on the Red Sea by a UAE-Saudi alliance at a cost of more than 100 billion riyals as well as many areas of joint ventures. The two economies have what it takes to attract investments and transform their region into an oasis of development that will benefit the rest of the GCC and Arab countries.
The strategy is a roadmap for the future, thanks to the keenness of the leaders of the two countries to build an innovative model in inter-Arab relations.
