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JEDDAH / WAM
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, discussed ways to strengthen fraternal ties between the two countries, and the overall regional and international issues of common concern.
This came when King Salman
received Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and his accompanying delegation at the Peace Palace in Jeddah, Saudi
Arabia on Monday.
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques welcomed the Crown Prince of Dubai and his accompanying delegation, expressing satisfaction over the level of fraternal relations in terms of co-operation and solidarity to achieve the best interests of the two countries and the two brotherly peoples.
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed conveyed the greetings of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, his wishes for Saudi Arabia, the leadership and further progress and prosperity of its people.
King Salman asked Sheikh
Mohamed bin Zayed to convey his regards to the UAE President, wishing him good health, and more prosperity and progress to the UAE and its people.
During the meeting, they discussed the strategic relationship between the two countries and ways of enhancing it to a wider range of co-operation in all fields so as to achieve the common interests, and enhance prospects of the Gulf Cooperation Council for the Arab States.
They also tackled current developments in the region, particularly in Yemen, Syria, Iraq, and Libya, and the risks posed by terrorist and extremist groups on the lives of innocent people, as well as on the foundations of stability and security of nations and peoples.
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed stressed the depth of the bonds between the two sisterly countries based on a strong and common will to achieve the interests of both countries and enhance their roles in achieving security and stability in the region. He pointed out that the challenges facing the region require double effort and continuous co-ordination and consultation to face foreign agendas and dangers posed by the terrorism and extremism.
He praised the pivotal role played by Saudi Arabia, led by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and his shrewd vision on addressing events in the region in accordance with the requirements of the security and stability of nations, peoples of the region and taking into account the interests of peoples in the region.
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques held a luncheon in honour of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and his accompanying delegation. The event was also attended by and a number of princes, ministers and dignitaries.
Among others present were His Royal Highness Prince Khalid Al Faisal, Adviser to Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and Governor of Makkah Province; His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister of Saudi Arabia; Ali bin Hammad Al Shamsi, Deputy Secretary General of the National Security Council; Mohammed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, Under-Secretary of the Crown Prince Court of Abu Dhabi; Mohammed Saeed Mohammed Al Dhahiri, UAE Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, and a number of princes and officials.
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed arrived in Jeddah on Monday on a fraternal visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He was received on his arrival at Jeddah Airport by His Royal Highness Prince
Mohammed bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz.
UAE, Saudi Arabia to set up Coordination Council
JEDDAH / WAM
Saudi Arabia and the UAE have signed an agreement to establish a co-ordination council between the two countries.
The signing ceremony for setting up the Saudi-UAE Coordination Council, which was held on Monday at the Peace Palace in Jeddah, was attended by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.
The move is based on shared religious, historical, social and cultural ties between the UAE and Saudi Arabia and their membership in the Gulf Cooperation Council for the Arab States, and out of keenness to consolidate the fraternal relations between them, and their desire to intensify bilateral co-operation through continuous consultation and co-ordination in many areas.
It also follows the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and his brother the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.
The council is co-headed by H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Crown Prince, Second Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with a number of ministers and officials in the two countries as members.
The agreement was signed by Dr. Nizar Madani, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia, and Ali bin Hammad Al Shamsi, Deputy Secretary-General of the National Security Council.
The council aims at consultation and co-ordination in matters and issues of common interest in all fields.
The agreement states that the council will meet periodically and alternately between the two countries. The chairman of the coordination council can establish joint committees and name members when the need arises. The joint committees formed by the council will hold periodic and alternate meetings between the two countries.
It emphasises that the establishment of the coordination council and tasks entrusted to it do not affect the obligations among the GCC states.
Among others present at the signing ceremony were His Royal Highness Prince Khalid al-Faisal, Adviser to the King of Saudi Arabia, Governor of Makkah Province; His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister of Saudi Arabia; Mohammed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, the Under-Secretary of the Crown Prince Court of Abu Dhabi; Mohamed Saeed Mohamed Al Dhahiri, UAE Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, and a number of princes and officials.