Op-Ed: Strong Relations Accelerate Pace Of UAE-Saudi Integration

Relations between the UAE and Saudi Arabia are going from strength to strength. In the backdrop of strong relations, a clearly defined roadmap is taking shape, reflecting the readiness of the two brotherly countries for full political, economic and military integration to confront the threats facing the region and to combat extremism and terrorism practiced, or supported, by certain countries facing an identity crisis.

(UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 22nd Sep, 2018) By Mohammed Jalal Al Raisi Executive Director of the Emirates news Agency, WAM.

ABU DHABI, 22nd September, 2018 (WAM) -- Relations between the UAE and Saudi Arabia are going from strength to strength. In the backdrop of strong relations, a clearly defined roadmap is taking shape, reflecting the readiness of the two brotherly countries for full political, economic and military integration to confront the threats facing the region and to combat extremism and terrorism practiced, or supported, by certain countries facing an identity crisis.

The profound belief in the common destiny is evident in the relations between the UAE and Saudi Arabia, the foundations of which were laid over half a century ago by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and sustained by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

It goes without saying that the integration, as envisioned by the Executive Committee of the Saudi-Emirati Co-ordination Council, constitutes a leap in the way the two countries are seeking to address the challenges and how it will add to their growing collective power, overseen by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Saudi Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence.

The leadership's directives to utilise its strength were quick to come into fruition when the Saudi-Emirati Co-ordination Council announced, at its first meeting, the "Strategy of Resolve", a joint vision for integration through several joint strategic projects and initiatives.

The "Strategy of Resolve" came as an accurate translation to the leadership's prudent vision, strong willingness, optimism and confidence for a bright future of integration between the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

It also defines the Council's definitive approach to the UAE-Saudi partnership and testifies to its competence in leveraging the "Strategy of Resolve" and its accelerators, through innovative tools to measure performance and to ensure growth and sustainability to UAE-Saudi relations.

Recently, we saw the joint launch of the Saudi-Emirati Co-ordination Council, and in the near future we will see this integration blooming, to herald a new era of further development and strength in the two countries that believe in creating opportunities for their peoples to realise their aspirations and build a promising future for the new generations, and, as once stated by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to ensure success and advancement for the entire Arabian Gulf.