RIYADH — The Executive Committee of the Saudi-Emirati Coordination Council held virtually on Monday its 3rd meeting, chaired by Saudi Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal bin Fadel Al-Ibrahim, and Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

Al-Ibrahim congratulated Sheikh Shakhboot on his assignment to lead the Executive Committee from the Emirati side. He also extended his sincere congratulations to UAE's leadership, government and people on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the union.

Al-Ibrahim said Saudi Arabia was proud of its historical relationship with the UAE and the vigorous steps they had taken jointly under the directions of the wise leadership to move forward and continue to work tirelessly in the spirit of one team to achieve the common vision.

The Saudi minister stressed the continuity of the two countries' march with greater determination and renewed commitment through launching a package of joint strategic initiatives, within the framework of Saudi-Emirati integration in various fields. He noted that the establishment of the Saudi-Emirati Coordination Council came to be a model platform to achieve the visions of the two leaderships toward deepening cooperation and enhancing integration between the two countries in various fields to serve the interests of their two brotherly peoples.

With regard to the joint role between the two countries, the minister explained that the Council seeks, through its initiatives, to take advantage of current opportunities and search for new avenues on an ongoing basis, in a way that enhances the integrated economic system and helps in finding innovative solutions to achieve sustainable development, as well as the happiness and prosperity of the two brotherly peoples.

For his part, Sheikh Shakhboot expressed his aspirations to complete the honorable march and to strengthen joint action between the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through the Saudi-Emirati Coordination Council, under the wise leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates.

Sheikh Shakhboot extended his thanks and appreciation to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, for their great role in chairing and supporting the Saudi-Emirati Coordination Council. He praised the deep-rooted and historical relations between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, which are based on solid foundations that derive their strength from the interdependence of the two brotherly peoples and their belief in the unity of common destiny.

He added that the visit of the Saudi Crown Prince to the United Arab Emirates confirms the solidity of the relations between the two countries and the well-established historical ties between them, and their relentless pursuit to enhance and develop strategic cooperation and economic, commercial and developmental integration as allies and strategic partners, and as powers that have political, economic and military weight.

During the meeting, they discussed the strategic plan of the Executive Committee for the next three years, which includes an ambitious vision for the next stage, which promotes proactive and effective engagement and participation between the two countries in various fields of cooperation, consolidating integration and aspects of joint bilateral work in line with global developments and the two countries’ visions toward the future. The two sides also identified, through the plan, six strategic goals to achieve through innovative and qualitative initiatives of the integration committees and the work teams.

The two sides also reviewed the developments of the advisory committee from the private sector, in addition to the works program of the 3rd meeting of the Saudi-Emirati Coordination Council.

The meeting was attended on the part of Saudi Arabia by Minister of Commerce and Acting Minister of Media Dr. Majid Al-Qasabi; Minister of Education Dr. Hamad Al Sheikh; Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb; Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing Majid Al-Hogail; Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Al-Khorayef; Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Eng. Waleed Al-Khuraiji; Deputy Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Eng. Mansour Al-Mushaiti, and a number of officials, heads of the integration committees and the secretariat team of the Executive Committee.

On the Emirati side, the meeting was attended by Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Suhail bin Mohamed Al-Mazrouei; Minister of Education Hussain bin Ibrahim Al-Hammadi; Minister of Economy Abdullah bin Touq Al-Marri; Minister of State for Financial Affairs Mohamed Bin Hadi Al Hussaini, and a number of officials, heads of the integration committees and the secretariat team of the Executive Committee. — SPA