ABU DHABI — Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense, arrived in Abu Dhabi on Thursday evening in the first leg of a tour that will take him to a number of Arab states.

At Abu Dhabi airport, the Crown Prince was received by Sheikh Muhammad Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and deputy supreme commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

Later, the two leaders explored paths of further consolidating the longstanding brotherly and strategic ties between the two countries across various domains, in addition to an array of issues of common interest.

They re-affirmed their strategic cooperation is based on a robust foundation of mutual trust and understanding and common interest.

They exchanged views over a series of issues, including the current threats and challenges besetting the Middle East and their impact on the stability and security of the region’s peoples.

“The UAE-Saudi relations are an exceptional role model for brotherly ties that go down to the annals of history. They are firmly based on mutual respect and joint determination to achieving the ambitions of their two peoples for sustainable development, social welfare and economic wellbeing,” said Sheikh Muhammad Bin Zayed.

“Relations between the two sisterly countries are steadily progressing and continually forging ahead thanks to the prudent vision of President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and his brother, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman of Saudi Arabia,” he added.

“Our two nations are making large strategic strides to ensure the welfare and happiness of their peoples,” Abu Dhabi Crown Prince noted.

"The UAE-Saudi relations have witnessed a quantum leap that has been translated over the recent years into joint actions across all political, economic, cultural and defense fields,” he said, citing the establishment of the Saudi-Emirati Coordination Council in May 2016 as a robust steppingstone for significantly growing these ties across various domains.

“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is assuming a pivotal role in efficiently confronting the challenges besetting the region and is spearheading the efforts aimed at ensuring security, stability and development for the region’s peoples, not to mention its good offices to achieve peace, and safety across different parts of the world,” Sheikh Muhammad Bin Zayed added.

He wished Crown Prince Muhammad continued success in ensuring full success for the ambitious projects, launched by the Kingdom recently to realize the Saudi people’s hopes for brighter future and continued welfare and prosperity.

The two leaders underscored their determination to continue efforts to ensure coordinated Arab stances toward the mechanisms of addressing the region's issues.

Earlier the Royal Court’s statement said that the Crown Prince’s Arab tour was in response to the invitations from the Arab leaders and in line with the directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman. The tour also emanates from the keenness of the monarch to enhance the Kingdom’s relations on the regional and international arenas, and in continuation of the cooperation and communications with the Arab countries in all fields, the Royal Court statement added. — SG