Saudi-Emirati Coordination Council held its first meeting in Jeddah on Wednesday, under the chairmanship of Saudi Crown Prince and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
During the meeting, the Saudi-Emirati Coordination Council’s Organisational Structure was declared with the objective of enhancing joint co-operation on the implementation of targeted projects and programmes. The Council will bring the friendly ties between the two nations to new heights, especially their cooperation in all military, political, economic, trade and cultural fields, as well as in other areas.
The Saudi-Saudi Coordination Council stands as a role model for cooperation between world countries and consolidates joint action between Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states.
It was established under an agreement between the two countries reached in May 2016 under the directives of President Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz.
The council is expected to coordinate the implementation of joint initiatives conducive to providing job opportunities, boosting GDP and accelerating bilateral investments.
The council seeks to develop a joint vision to deepen bilateral relations in line with the objectives set by the GCC in order to strengthen economic integration between the sides and develop innovative solutions for the optimum utilization of resources while building up an efficient and integrated education system premised on grooming qualified national generations.
On Tuesday, the two countries announced a joint vision for economic, developmental and military integration through 44 joint strategic projects as part of "Strategy of Resolve" which was developed over 12 months by 350 government officials from different fields. The strategy outlines three main axes: the economic axis, the human and knowledge axis, and the political, security and military axis.
Both leaders set a time frame of 60 months to implement the strategic projects aimed at building an exceptional model between UAE and Saudi Arabia which supports the works of the GCC. The strategy also "protects the interests of both countries and creates new opportunities for the brotherly people."
The Strategy also includes a plan to establish an agricultural investment company as a joint venture fund for renewable energy and a third investment fund for small and medium enterprises. It will also facilitate the flow of traffic in ports, build a unified industrial database, empower the banking sector in both countries, harmonize economic procedures and legislation and create a joint council to coordinate foreign investments.
The areas of cooperation identified by the Strategy of Resolve also include security and military cooperation and integration, coordination of foreign military assistance and standardization in the military industry sector.
During the coming period, the two sides will work on activating the joint manufacturing industries, implementing the electric linkage project, launching joint housing and financing services and solutions, establishing a joint center for the development of desalination technologies, cooperation in the management of infrastructure projects, and cooperate in the development of modern financial technology techniques.
The first meeting of the Joint Coordination Council witnessed the signing of 20 memorandums of understanding to enhance Saudi-UAE cooperation in various fields. A number of strategic projects were launched, and the structure of the Council was announced.
During the meeting, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed asserted that UAE and Saudi Arabia have strategic relations based on solid foundations of unity, joint vision, objectives and cooperation under the blessings of Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdul Aziz.
“Our meeting today is a continuation of our brotherly and strong relations," he indicated.
Sheikh Mohammad also added that Saudi-Emirati Coordination Council supports the objectives of the GCC under the leadership of Saudi Arabia.
“We have a historic opportunity to create an exceptional Arab model of cooperation. Our solidarity and unity protect our interest, strengthen our economies and build a better future for our peoples,” bin Zayed said.
Abu Dhabi Crown Prince indicated that both UAE and KSA have the two largest Arab economies, forming the two most modern armed forces.
The economies of Saudi Arabia and the UAE, he went on to say, represent a gross domestic product of one trillion dollars, and joint exports rank fourth globally and amount to $750 billion, plus Dh150 billion annually invested in infrastructure projects, which generates huge opportunities for bilateral cooperation.
The council includes 16 ministers from prioritised sectors from both countries as follows; from Saudi Arabia: Minister of Interior Prince Abdul Aziz bin Saud bin Nayef, Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, Minister of Economy and Planning Mohammed al-Tuwaijri, Minister of Commerce and Investment Majid al-Qasabi, Minister of Foreign Affairs Adel al-Jubair, Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources Khalid al-Falih, Board Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority Ahmad Bin Aqeel Al Khatib, Minister of Finance Mohammad al- Jadaan, and CEO of Board at Public Investment Fund Yasir al-Rumayyan.
From the UAE, the council includes the following members: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Economy Sultan al-Mansouri, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash, Minister of State for Financial Affairs Obaid Bin al-Tayer, Minister of Education Hussain al-Hammadi, Minister of State Sultan al-Jaber, and Deputy Secretary-General of the Supreme National Security Council Ali al-Shamsi.
In order to ensure the best utilization of co-operation and partnership prospects, an executive committee has been formed under the chairmanship of Sheikh Mansour and Minister Mohammad al-Tuwaijri to accelerate co-operation between the two sides on prioritized areas and following up the progress of work.
Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived in Jeddah on Monday and was received at the King Abdul Aziz International Airport by Crown Prince Mohammed bin and a number of Saudi officials.
