Saudi Arabia and UAE : “Always together” for the good of both countries and the region
The 91st anniversary of Saudi National Day is being commemorated on Thursday, at a time when the historical brotherhood and partnership between the Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates are on a larger horizon.
A partnership that has made the national days of the two countries a cherished occasion and a joint celebration that brings together the hearts of the two peoples. It is also an important opportunity to renew brotherhood, consolidate love and move towards a better and more beautiful future for both countries.
Sheikh Mohammed ben Rachid Al Maktoum, UAE vice president and prime minister and ruler of Dubai, expressed his congratulations to Saudi Arabia on its 91st national day, which the kingdom is celebrating this year under the slogan, “It is for us a home.”
Sheikh Mohammed ben Rachid Al Maktoum tweeted: “Every year, the kingdom and its leadership will be in good health, security and safety.”
He continued, “Saudi National Day every year is a dear occasion for all of us.. an occasion to renew the brotherhood.. and instill in it love.. We are moving from it toward a better and more beautiful future for two peoples that are united by an unlimited ambition.”
A warm and brotherly greeting reflects the strength of the relationship between the two countries, which is witnessing continuous development and growth at both the official and popular levels.
Relations were expressed during Sheikh Mohammed Ben Zayed Al Nahyane’s visit to Saudi Arabia on July 19. The Crown Prince of Abou Dabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces affirmed that these relations are “solid brotherly relations” and that the partnership between the UAE and Saudi Arabia is strong and continuous for the benefit of both countries and the region.
On the ground, hardly a week goes by without countries and the region reaping the benefits of that strategic partnership and eternal brotherhood.
Strengthening cooperation… 4 peaks
In terms of bilateral cooperation, the past period witnessed mutual visits and continuous talks between leaders and officials of Saudi Arabia and the UAE to support relations, coordinate efforts and increase cooperation.
A few days ago, Sheikh Mohammed ben Zayed Al Nahyane, Crown Prince of Abou Dabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, received a phone call from Prince Mohammed ben Salmane bin Abdelaziz Al Saoud, Saudi Crown Prince. During the phone call, they discussed the progress of the established brotherly relations between the two countries and reviewed the areas of strategic cooperation between them and ways of strengthening and developing it to serve common interests.
The telephone conversation comes nearly two months after the visit of Sheikh Mohammed ben Zayed Al Nahyane to Riyad and his discussions with Prince Mohammed ben Salmane to strengthen the deep-rooted brotherly relations between the two countries.
The summit is the second after the one held during Sheikh Mohammed ben Zayed Al Nahyane’s visit to Djeddah on May 5th.
“The brotherly relations between the UAE and Saudi Arabia are strong and solid, and are based on love, kinship and faith in the unity of the common destiny,” Sheikh Mohammed ben Zayed al-Nahyane said.
“The strong relations that bring them together represent the historical depth and safety valve for the two countries and all Arabs,” he said. “They are a model for stability, security, growth and prosperity in the region.”
These two summits were among the four that brought the two countries leaderships together throughout 2021.
During these summits and exchange of visits, the two countries showed great consensus on Arab, Gulf, regional and international issues; The two countries are working to strengthen joint Arab action, safeguard the progress of the Gulf Cooperation Council, combat terrorism, promote security and stability in the region and the world, counter external interference in the affairs of Arab States and work together to find lasting solutions to the various crises and conflicts in the region.
There was also a great consensus between the two countries on addressing the challenges of climate change and cooperation to combat the coronavirus pandemic and its repercussions.
These summits have been preceded, followed by and interspersed with mutual visits and intensive meetings to document the growing partnership and cooperation between the two countries.
“Over the course of the year, several meetings of the committees of the Saudi-UAE Coordination Council, whose establishment was signed on May 16, 2016, were held at the Peace Palace in Djeddah, in the presence of Saudi King Salmane ben Abdelaziz Al Saoud and Sheikh Mohammed ben Zayed Al Nahyane, to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in various fields.”
At the end of last May, the two countries signed a draft agreement on the establishment of the Parliamentary Friendship Association, in order to consolidate and consolidate the deep-rooted relations of brotherhood and strategic partnership between the two countries and to affirm the common and growing interests between the two brotherly countries and their peoples.
Human brotherhood
Strong partnership, brotherly relations and cooperation between the two countries for the benefit of all mankind; Saudi Arabia previously supported Sheikh Mohammed ben Zayed Al Nahyane’s initiative on the International Day of Human Brotherhood, which the world celebrated for the first time on February 4th. The UAE also supported the “Green Middle East Initiative,” which was announced by the Saudi Crown Prince last March and aims – in partnership with countries in the region – to plant 50 billion trees as the world’s largest reforestation program to preserve and protect the environment.
Sheikh Mohammed ben Zayed Al Nahyane dedicated the International Day of Human Brotherhood to the world after sponsoring the Human Brotherhood Document, which was signed in the Emirates on February 4th, 2019, and which became an international day that was celebrated internationally for the first time last February.
Global Challenges: Coronavirus and Climate
The partnership between the two countries also has an impact on facing the biggest challenges facing the world in the current period. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salmane ben Abdelaziz Al Saoud, and Sheikh Mohammed ben Rachid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, participated in the Leaders Summit “Remotely” on the climate, which was hosted by US President Joe Biden on April 22 and 23.
The participation of the leaders of the two countries in the Climate Summit, along with 40 other heads of state, was a confirmation of the role of the two countries and their leading position in the climate action, their efforts in addressing the consequences of climate change, and the achievement of a low-carbon economy.
“In the context of the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, the two countries, through the G20 meetings, chaired by Saudi Arabia in 2020, have undertaken high-level coordination and cooperation to build a coordinated global response to the global pandemic.”
Last November, Sheikh Mohammed ben Rachid Al Maktoum participated in the closing session of the G20 Leaders Summit, held over two days under the chairmanship of King Salmane ben Abdelaziz, in her capacity as guest and president of the 40th session of the Gulf Cooperation Council.
Sheikh Mohammed ben Zayed Al Nahyane also participated in the G20 Leaders Summit, an extraordinary virtual summit chaired by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques in March 2020.
On the occasion of the summit, Sheikh Mohammed ben Zayed Al Nahyane stressed the need, more than ever, for international cooperation and solidarity to address the coronavirus, as the whole world is going through unprecedented circumstances in light of the spread of the virus and its transformation into a global epidemic affecting all aspects of life on the planet.
Support of legitimacy in Yemen
The UAE and Saudi Arabia are credited with exposing Iran’s subversive roles in undermining the foundations of security and stability in the region.
The two countries have been exemplary in meeting the challenges and have even witnessed a blend of blood between their people; in support of legitimacy in Yemen, as part of a coalition aimed at defeating terrorism and countering extremism.
Five years after the launch of Storm Resolve on February 9, 2020, the UAE celebrated the return of its brave soldiers who participated in the mission of “Restoring Hope” in Yemen after successfully completing the tasks of liberation, insurance, and empowerment.
“The UAE announced a shift from its highly professional armed forces direct approach strategy to its own indirect approach strategy, and affirmed its commitment to supporting the Arab coalition in air operations, logistical support, training, and counter-terrorism, which it continues to do today.”
“In support of sustainable political solutions, the UAE has consistently supported Saudi and international efforts in support of achieving security and stability in Yemen.”
“The UAE announced its support for the Saudi Arabia peace initiative in Yemen, which was announced in March, and included a comprehensive ceasefire, the easing of restrictions on fuel shipments to the port of Hudaydah, the opening of Sanaa airport under the supervision of the coalition and the UN, and the resumption of the political process.”
Fighting terrorism and spreading peace
In the area of counter-terrorism, both countries have joined regional and international efforts to combat extremism and terrorism by participating in the international coalition led by the United States against the terrorist organization Daesh in 2014.
The UAE and Saudi Arabia also play a pivotal role in the international fight against extremism and terrorism; Particularly with regard to addressing cultural and intellectual aspects, which are appreciated by the entire international community.
In terms of spreading peace, the efforts of Saudi Arabia and the UAE played a major role in ending the longest conflict in Africa. Their joint efforts contributed to ending the disagreement between Ethiopia and Eritrea, as Saudi Arabia and the UAE spared no effort in pursuing the steps of reconciliation within the wise direction of both countries to establish relations of stability in the region and respect good neighborliness.
“On July 9, 2018, Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed signed a peace declaration, formally ending two decades of hostility after the last military confrontation in 2000 between the two sides, which left nearly 100,000 dead on both sides and thousands injured, captives and displaced people and cost more than $6 billion.”
The relationship between the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia was and remains a safety valve for the preservation of stability and peace in the region and the world, especially since the history of both countries is filled with initiatives to settle Arab differences or to support Arab countries and launch joint initiatives to defuse crises and tensions in the region and beyond.
