Saudi King Salman’s visit ‘a paradigm shift in ties’

ABU DHABI // The strong bond between the UAE and Saudi Arabia was hailed by Emirati leaders on Saturday as King Salman arrived in the capital. King Salman’s visit – his first to the Emirates since ascending to the throne – is part of a regional tour that will also include Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait. He was greeted upon arrival by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. An official reception was held for the king, featuring the Saudi national anthem and a 21-gun salute, reported Wam, the state news agency. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, and Rulers and Crown Princes of other emirates welcomed King Salman at Al Mushrif Palace. Dozens of Saudi and UAE officials attended the reception. King Salman was awarded the Zayed medal by Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed to recognise the monarch’s role in enhancing fraternal cooperation and GCC and Arab joint action. The Dubai Ruler said relations between the Saudi kingdom and the UAE have exceeded diplomatic ties and that the countries have joined as one. The king’s visit underlines the depth of ties and strong foundations laid by Sheikh Zayed, the late Founding Father of the UAE. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed said. That in coincides with the UAE’s 45th National Day is also of special significance. Sheikh Zayed believed Saudi Arabia acts as a safety valve in the region – a key pillar for GCC and Arab security, said Sheikh Mohammed. The same approach is cherished by the President, Sheikh Khalifa, who took the relationship to new heights in solidary and cooperation at a time when the GCC and Arab world faces historic junctures, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi said. The countries’ will was united in defending justice in Yemen and Arab security, and confronting interference in the region’s internal affairs and plots against Arab countries’ security, sovereignty and higher interests, he said. “The UAE always believes that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the long pole in the Gulf and Arab tent, and its security and stability are part and parcel of the UAE and other GCC and Arab states,” Sheikh Mohammed said. He said the visit confirms the close strategic coordination between the two countries at all levels. “Arab history will always remember the historic stance and decisive decisions of King Salman against attempts by greedy foreign forces to meddle in Arab internal affairs,” Sheikh Mohammed said. “King Salman created a unified GCC-Arab front to confront these interferences. “History will long ponder the operation to restore legitimacy in Yemen at a critical juncture in the brave Arab action that is driven by self-initiative and self-dependence in protecting Arab higher interests, aborting plots of expansion and hegemony in the region. “We are confident that King Salman’s trip to the UAE will induce a paradigm shift in bilateral ties, which are based on the unity of the Emirati-Saudi political leaderships’ will as well as on the common aspirations of the two brotherly peoples.” Dr Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Bishr, Saudi ambassador to the UAE, said the distinguished brotherly relations between Saudi Arabia and the UAE were “as old as history”. Dr Al Bishr said the Saudi and Emirati peoples had the same values, traditions and religion, and there were many inherited cultures and traditions rooted in the two societies. He said relations between Saudi Arabia and the UAE were witnessing their brightest era under the wise guidance of their leaderships, because they were based on the fundamentals of the two countries being an integral part of the Gulf region and the Arab and Islamic world. Dr Al Bishr said there was agreement between the states on global issues. Cooperation between the UAE and Saudi Arabia, he said, was based on brotherhood and joint fate, and its objectives included rejection of extremism and terrorism and upholding the right of the Islamic approach with commitment to international laws and norms and contributing to peace and love around the world. “The celebration is an important event for every GCC and Arab national our joy today is great,” Dr Al Bishr said. He said there were 2,366 Saudi companies and 66 trade agencies operating in the UAE by the end of last year. “Two-way trade stood at Dh21.4 billion last year, exceeding any volume among GCC member states,” Dr Al Bishr said. newsdesk@thenational.ae

Saudi King Salman’s visit ‘a paradigm shift in ties’

King Salman of Saudi Arabia arrived in the UAE on Saturday for an official visit.