Jeddah: In a major boost to bilateral relations, the UAE and Saudi Arabia on Monday set up a joint council to coordinate efforts and bolster ties between the two country.
King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia and His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, attended the signing of the agreement for setting up the coordination council in Jeddah on Monday.
The agreement comes on the backdrop of the strong religious, historical, social and cultural relations between the two countries under the umbrella of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
The council aims to strengthen consultation and coordination over topics of mutual concern between the two countries.
Earlier in the day, Shaikh Mohammad held talks with King Salman during which they discussed ways to boost bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues of mutual concern.
The talks touched on Emirati-Saudi strategic relations, and ways to take them to greater heights in all spheres in order to serve common interests and strengthen the GCC’s drive.
Shaikh Mohammad and King Salman discussed the current developments in the region, with focus on Yemen, Syria, Iraq and Libya and the threats posed by terrorist groups against innocent people.
The council will be chaired by Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, and Mohammad Bin Salman, Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Crown Prince, Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence.
The agreement to establishing the council was signed by Nizar Bin Obaid Madani, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, and Alia Hammad Al Shamsi, Deputy Chairman of the Supreme National Security Council.
King Salman hosted a lunch banquet in honour of Shaikh Mohammad and his delegation.
