UAE-Saudi relations an exceptional role model: Sheikh Mohamed

The Saudi Crown Prince is in Abu Dhabi on a state visit to the UAE.

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Saudi Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, explored paths of further consolidating the long-standing brotherly and strategic ties between the two countries across various domains, in addition to an array of issues of common interest.
This came during their talks on Thursday following the arrival of the Saudi Crown Prince in Abu Dhabi on a state visit to the UAE. The two leaders re-affirmed that their strategic cooperation is based on a robust foundation of mutual trust, understanding and common interest.
They exchanged views over a series of issues, including the current threats and challenges besetting the Middle East and their impact on the stability and security of the region's peoples.
"The UAE-Saudi relations are an exceptional role model for brotherly ties that go down to the annals of history. They are firmly based on mutual respect and joint determination to achieving the ambitions of their two peoples for sustainable development, social welfare and economic well-being," said Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed. 
"Relations between the two sisterly countries are steadily progressing and continually forging ahead thanks to the prudent vision of the President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and his brother the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia," he added, reiterating that the two countries set an example to be copied for integrated relations and identical views on issues of common interest. 
"Our two nations are making large strategic strides to ensure the welfare and happiness of their peoples," the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince added. 
"The UAE-Saudi relations have witnessed a quantum leap that has been translated over the recent years into joint actions across all political, economic, cultural and defence fields," he said, citing the establishment of the Saudi-Emirati Coordination Council in May 2016 as a robust steppingstone for significantly growing these ties across various domains. 
"The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is assuming a pivotal role in efficiently confronting the challenges besetting the region and is spearheading the efforts aimed at ensuring security, stability and development for the region's peoples, not to mention its good offices to achieve peace, and safety across different parts of the world," Sheikh Mohamed added. 
He wished Prince Mohammed continued success in ensuring full success for the ambitious projects, launched by the Kingdom recently to realise the Saudi people's hopes for brighter future and continued welfare and prosperity. 
They emphasised that the robust partnership between the two countries is a strong pillar for joint Arab security thanks to the regional and global clout and leverage they enjoy and to their firm and clear-cut stands towards the challenges and threats besetting the region, primarily the menace of extremism and terrorism posed by groups that are seeking to undermine the stability of the region. 
The two leaders underscored their determination to continue efforts to ensure coordinated Arab stances towards the mechanisms of addressing the region's issues. 
Attending the talks between the two leaders were Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region; Dr Amal Abdullah Al Qubaisi, Speaker of Federal National Council; Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Ruler's Representative in Al Ain Region; Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council; Lt-Gen Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior; Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Adviser; Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs; Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Adviser to the UAE President; Sheikh Khalid bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy National Security Adviser; Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Member of the Executive Council of Abu Dhabi; Sheikh Diab bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan; Sheikh Khalifa bin Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Executive Director of the Martyrs Families' Affairs Office of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince; Sheikh Shakhbout bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, UAE Ambassador to Saudi Arabia; ministers and other senior officials.