UAE, Saudi Arabia discuss regional issues

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia, has discussed with His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, strengthening brotherly and strategic relations between the two countries, and the overall regional and international issues of common concern.

This came during King’s Salman meeting with Mohamed bin Zayed and his accompanying delegation today in Riyadh.

Sheikh Mohamed conveyed the greetings of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, wishing him and the Kingdom more progress and prosperity.

King Salman welcomed the visit of Sheikh Mohamed, and relayed his greetings to President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and his wishes for more progress and development for the UAE leadership and people.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed means to strengthen brotherly relations, and their strategic cooperation in various bilateral and regional issues, as well as their efforts to address regional challenges and to counter the interventions aimed at destabilising the region.

The two sides also discussed bilateral ties and opportunities for further development in various fields. They also reviewed the developments in the Palestinian arena concerning the issue of Jerusalem and the serious repercussions behind the US President’s decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and to transfer its embassy.

Sheikh Mohamed and King Salman spoke about means to continue their efforts to find a just and lasting solution to the Palestinian issue in accordance with the relevant international resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.

The parties also discussed the latest developments in the Yemeni arena and efforts exerted to defeat the Iran-backed Houthi militias, and the aggressive and terrorist armed organisations that threaten Yemeni people and regional and international security and stability.

Abu Dhabi Crown Prince emphasised that the UAE under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa stands with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in facing all challenges confronting the region’s countries and peoples on the basis of solid solidarity and unified coordination.

Sheikh Mohamed said that the cooperation of the countries concerning regional issues and challenges is a basic and vital demand. He also stressed the need to strengthen the unity of the Arab countries, particularly in light of the circumstances currently being experienced by the region.

The Abu Dhabi Crown Prince also expressed his confidence in the role played by Saudi Arabia in this regard, under the leadership of King Salman in preserving the nation’s issues and preserving its supreme interests, as well as its historic and solid positions on the conspiracies, terrorism and regional ambitions facing the region.

“The UAE and Saudi Arabia are fully aware of the sensitivity, challenges, and risks facing this region, and its future and the future of its nations and their peoples. Therefore, the historical and shared responsibility of the two countries towards changes and developments are based on a solid foundation of cooperation, understanding, and synergy. The Arab alliance is only one aspect of the successful work which contributed, thankfully, to putting an end to the deterioration of the security system in the region,” Sheikh Mohamed continued.

The meeting was attended by the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister of the Kingdom, H.H. Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Adviser, H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, Ali bin Hammad Al Shamsi, Deputy Secretary-General of the Supreme National Security Council, Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Affairs Authority, Mohamed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, Under-Secretary of the Crown Prince’s Court of Abu Dhabi, and Sheikh Shakhbout bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, UAE Ambassador to Saudi Arabia.