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Shaikh Mohammad 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 Al Saud, Crown Prince and Vice President of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Defense attend the closing ceremony of the Mohammed Bin Salman Camel Festival in the field of camel in Taif province, Saudi Arabia. Image Credit: TWITTER

Abu Dhabi: The President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan has sent a message of congratulations to King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia, on the occasion of the kingdom’s 88th National Day.

His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces; His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah; His Highness Shaikh Humaid Bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ajman; His Highness Shaikh Hamad Bin Mohammad Al Sharqi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Fujairah; His Highness Shaikh Saud Bin Rashid Al Mualla, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Umm Al Quwain; and His Highness Shaikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, also sent similar messages to King Salman.

 

New era of development

Saudi Arabia began a new era of development, which includes structural reforms in many social and economic areas, and highlighted by the predictions of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) regarding the 2 per cent growth to its economy and a 160 per cent trade balance increase.

The kingdom is also implementing its Vision 2030, which aims to reduce its dependency on oil by 50 per cent, by launching infrastructure projects in the electricity, energy, roads, water, transportation, construction and tourism sectors.

The UAE’s celebration and its official and popular participation in the Saudi National Day reflect the deep relations between the two countries, surpassing the concept of bilateral cooperation between two neighbouring countries.

The two nations have a strategic partnership, in keeping with their historical ties supported by blood, legacy and a common destiny.

The bilateral relationship is a stabilising force in dealing with the challenges and risks threatening Arab and Gulf security and the hurdles to achieving development and stability, marked by the situation in Yemen and the issues with Iran.

Both countries have acquired significant international confidence, as their policies are characterised by wisdom and moderation when facing extremism and terrorism, encouraging dialogue between cultures and civilisations.

Bilateral relations

Relations between the two countries were established by the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and King Faisal Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, who were also keen on strengthening them and continue the ongoing coordination and cooperation on regional and international issues.

Bilateral relations have achieved important strategic successes during the last decade, to become an ideal model of Arab relations, and an example of mutual awareness of the nature of regional and international developments and the necessity of addressing them with consistent policies.

Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid expressed this conviction during the historic visit of King Salman to the UAE on December 6, 2016.

“The relations between Saudi Arabia and the UAE have exceeded the level of diplomatic relations and is more like the relationship between the arm and the back. We are asking Allah Almighty to protect this body,” Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid tweeted on his official account.