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The United Arab Emirates is joining the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in celebrating the 94th National Day, which falls on September 23 of each year. This day reflects Saudi Arabia’s national joys and the journey of developmental and civilized achievements that the Kingdom has accomplished in all fields, under the slogan “#Together – Forever”, in affirmation of the spirit of brotherhood, friendship and love. Many prominent landmarks in the UAE will be adorned with the colors of the Saudi flag to celebrate the occasion, and many celebratory events will be organized in a number of locations to share the joy of Saudis.
Unique model
The UAE and Saudi Arabia are linked by exceptional and solid bilateral relations, which constitute a unique model of solid brotherhood, based on good neighborliness and common interests. The two countries are united by bonds of brotherhood and distinguished relations that have culminated in a journey full of giving and joint work, and have become a reference for joint Arab action in order to strengthen the foundations of stability, development and prosperity of peoples, and one of the most important pillars of coordination and integration between the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, enhancing its path and supporting joint Gulf Arab action.
Strategic partnership
The deep-rooted strategic partnership between the two countries is based on solid historical foundations, reinforced by the bonds of common destiny and governed by the unity of visions and interests in dealing with all Gulf, Arab and international issues. The alliance between the two countries is one of the strongest global alliances economically, placing the two countries in a distinguished position on the map of global alliances, as they are linked by historical relations thanks to the efforts of the leadership of the two countries, and their keenness on the approach of continuous coordination and cooperation between the two countries. Bilateral relations between the UAE, led by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, may God protect him, and Saudi Arabia, led by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, have moved from the concept of bilateral cooperation between neighboring countries to a full strategic partnership.
Historical relations
The great historical relations between the two countries and the two brotherly peoples translate harmony in different positions, as the two countries share and cooperate continuously on many important regional and international issues, and the same future aspirations and visions aimed at providing all means of stability and prosperity for the good of the leadership and people of the two brotherly countries.
In recent years, relations between the two sister countries have witnessed tremendous development and great progress in all political, economic, social and cultural fields, with the support and guidance of the wise leadership in both countries, based on constants that support international security and peace and contribute to achieving stability and development at the regional and international levels.
Joint cooperation
The UAE and Saudi Arabia have been keen to enhance strategic relations and joint cooperation between the two brotherly peoples, and to strengthen ties that represent a solid foundation for building more paths of cooperation to serve the goals of comprehensive development between the two countries and enhance their common ties in various political, social, economic and cultural fields. Bilateral relations between the two countries have contributed to enhancing the security and stability of the region and the world, especially since their history is full of many initiatives to resolve Arab differences or support Arab countries, as they bore the greatest burden in confronting all forms of regional interference in Arab affairs and attempts to destabilize the foundations of security and stability in the region. They also played a prominent role in efforts to combat terrorism and extremism, and these efforts have received the appreciation of the entire international community.
Coordination Council
The establishment of the Saudi-Emirati Coordination Council came to enhance the common vision between the two countries, with the aim of intensifying bilateral cooperation on issues of common interest. The common vision between the two countries is a fundamental pillar of the joint cooperation process towards strengthening the partnership and achieving integration in various political, economic, security and military fields, in order to achieve good and prosperity for the peoples of the two countries, confront challenges in the region, and enhance security and stability in it. This joint cooperation has historically constituted a strong guarantee for Gulf and Arab national security in general, given the convergence of the views of the two brotherly countries towards all regional issues through their constructive and fruitful cooperation.
Joint Committee
The leadership of both brotherly countries was keen to make a qualitative leap in their bilateral relations by institutionalizing these relations through the establishment of a joint supreme committee in May 2014, which worked to implement the strategic vision of the leaderships of the two countries with the aim of reaching broader, more secure and stable horizons to confront the challenges in the region, within the framework of a strong, cohesive entity that achieves goodness and prosperity for the two brotherly peoples and supports the path of joint Gulf action.
Coordination Council
The two countries also signed an agreement to establish a coordination council between them in 2016, aiming to consult and coordinate on matters and topics of common interest in all fields. The agreement stipulated that the council would meet periodically, alternating between the two countries.
In February 2017, an exceptional retreat was held between the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, under the name “Al Azm Retreat”, which was hosted by the Emirate of Abu Dhabi as the first activity emanating from the Saudi-Emirati Coordination Council, with the attendance and participation of more than 150 government officials and a number of experts in various government and private sectors in both countries. Then, the first meeting of the Saudi-Emirati Coordination Council was held in Jeddah in June 2018, chaired by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, may God protect him, and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. The organizational structure of the Council was announced, which included 16 ministers from priority sectors in both countries, and the formation of an executive committee for the Council with the aim of intensifying bilateral cooperation on priority issues.
In conjunction with the first meeting of the Saudi-Emirati Coordination Council, the two countries announced a joint vision for integration between them, economically, developmentally and militarily, through 44 joint strategic projects, which were worked on by 350 officials from the two countries from 139 governmental, sovereign and military entities, over a period of 12 months, and through 3 main axes: the economic axis, the human and knowledge axis, and the political, security and military axis. The leaders of the two countries set a period of 60 months to implement the strategic projects that aim to build an exceptional integrated model between the two countries that supports the path of joint Gulf cooperation, and at the same time contributes to protecting gains, protecting interests and creating new opportunities for the two brotherly peoples. A group of joint projects were announced during the meeting.
In January 2019, the Executive Committee of the Saudi-Emirati Coordination Council announced the launch of 7 strategic initiatives during its first meeting in Abu Dhabi. The Executive Committee of the Saudi-Emirati Coordination Council also held its second meeting in April 2019 in Riyadh, and a package of joint strategic initiatives was approved in many areas.
