Saudi Arabia reveals new developments in its relations with the United Arab Emirates

The Saudi Arabian News Agency (SPA) revealed on Sunday new details on the Kingdom's relations with the United Arab Emirates, where Riyadh and Abu Dhabi have been using since 2016 to strengthen their close alliance by working together under the umbrella of a coordination council.

The government agency said that seven joint committees are currently working under the Saudi-Emirati integration system in the field of development and the economy, in order to implement a number of 39 initiatives and development projects.

We are talking about the work of the committees, which report to the Saudi-UAE Coordinating Council, as well as allegations that there is a dispute between the two countries on the evolution of certain regional issues, including Yemen, which was soon dispersed by the leaders of both countries.

Unified integration plan

The seven joint committees manage 21 development zones, evaluate all possibilities of cooperation between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates and seek, within their competences, new opportunities to develop the two countries in an economic way, human and in terms of knowledge.

Organized by the General Secretariat of the Saudi and Emirati Coordinating Council, the organization comprises seven complementary committees, namely the political committee headed by the ministers Adel Al-Jubeir and Anwar Gargash, the military and security committee led by two ministers , the finance and investment committee, the energy and industry committee and the environment and housing committee. The Commission for Tourism and Information, in addition to the Commission for Human Development.

Among the latest initiatives announced include the activation of the Common Market Project, a unified strategy for food security, the development of a common vision of tourism, the establishment of the Saudi and UAE Youth Council , the creation of the Joint Committee for Cooperation in the Media Sector, the elaboration of a cybersecurity strategy and the creation of a joint committee for the promotion of goods and industries in the field of world. Cooperation in the fields of energy and industry, logistic integration and activation of the partnership in the diplomatic field.

Strategic Alliance

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have concluded their close relations that lasted for several decades under the reign of the Emirati founder, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and the last kings of Saudi Arabia, with the creation of a joint coordination council in 2016, described as the title of a new phase in the course of bilateral relations.

The Council, which is overseen by the leaders of both countries as well as dozens of ministers and hundreds of officials, has as a common goal to highlight the status of the two countries in the fields of economy and human development and political integration, security and the military, to ensure the well-being of the society of both countries.

After the establishment of the Coordination Council, the two countries appeared to be applying a unified policy in regional issues. All disputes between them remained after this date. They were motivated by campaigns against the Saudi-UAE rapprochement, after which several countries, including Qatar, had openly exploded after the outbreak of the Gulf crisis. In June 2017.

A decision

Observers said the Coordination Council had institutionalized relations between the two countries and helped them to better coordinate their bilateral positions through direct and continuous communication among themselves and to make the decisions that were required.

According to these analyzes, officials from both countries are working on common issues to implement a decision made by agreement between them, including external files, where the Political Committee and the Military and Security Committee of the Coordinating Council coordinate the work. between the two countries.

Officials from both countries have consistently supported this reality, including what was said after the Eid al-Adha festival in the Yemeni city of Aden, where more than one Saudi and UAE official said that Riyadh-Abu Dhabi alliance is strategic and that there is no room for disagreements between them.

Following reports and political analyzes predicting a dispute between the Saudi government and the Prince of Mecca, Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, in response to a question to Erm News on the veracity of these allegations : ".

The latest statements by UAE Foreign Minister Anwar Gargash confirm the conviction of both countries. "Our engagement with Riyadh is ongoing and more comprehensive, especially in the difficult circumstances around him and our firm belief in Riyadh's central and leading role," he said.