The Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosts the third Azm Retreat of the Saudi-Emirati Coordination Council

ABU DHABI, 23rd October, 2017 (WAM) – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates hosted the third Retreat of Resolve of the Saudi-Emirati Coordination Council, which was held over the course of 22nd and 23rd October at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abu Dhabi. It discussed a number of strategic projects and initiatives between the two countries in areas of mutual interest, in the presence of His Excellency Sheikh Shakhbut bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, Minister of State, Chairman of the Executive Committee from the Emirati side of the Saudi-Emirati Coordination Council, and the secretaries of the Executive Committee of the Saudi-Emirati Coordination Council, His Excellency Omar Obaid Al-Hussan Al Shamsi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and His Excellency Rakan bin Waddah Tarabzouni, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy and Planning for Affairs. The International Economic Forum in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in addition to a number of officials from government agencies in both countries.
In the opening speech of the retreat, His Excellency Sheikh Shakhbut bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, Minister of State, Chairman of the Executive Committee from the Emirati side of the Saudi-Emirati Coordination Council, addressed the highest expressions of appreciation and gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, may God protect him, and the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, King of the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, for the wise approach and strategic vision they have established that believes that… Close cooperation between our two brotherly countries is the cornerstone of the region’s stability and prosperity. His Excellency also thanked and appreciated His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, for the continuous support and guidance he gives to the process of the Saudi-Emirati Coordination Council, an embodiment of the established relationship and unity of vision and destiny between the two brotherly countries.

His Excellency stressed that the Saudi-Emirati Coordination Council, since its establishment, has represented an exceptional and pioneering model in joint Arab cooperation. It works to enhance integration in the economic system between the two sides, by finding joint solutions to invest resources and maximize returns, and developing integrated work systems based on efficiency and leadership, with a focus on the fields of education, scientific research, innovation and future technologies, which contributes to preparing generations capable of leading the next stage with confidence and ability.

His Excellency Sheikh Shakhbout bin Nahyan Al Nahyan added that what unites the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates is greater than common interests and deeper than bilateral agreements. It is a relationship of solid brotherhood, a common destiny, and a unified vision towards a prosperous and secure future. He pointed out that the next stage requires doubling efforts and enhancing coordination between work teams, in line with the directives of the wise leadership, and embodying the Council’s aspirations to Achieving an integrated model for Gulf and Arab cooperation, based on a single vision and a common destiny.
During the speech of the Executive Committee Secretaries, His Excellency Omar Obaid Al-Hussan Al-Shamsi said that the holding of the third Resolve of Determination of the Saudi-Emirati Coordination Council; It embodies the depth of historical relations and the growing strategic partnership between the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, under a wise leadership that believes in dialogue, cooperation and integration as foundations for achieving stability and common prosperity, explaining that today’s Council meeting represents an important milestone in the process of bilateral cooperation, and an opportunity to strengthen the existing partnerships between our two countries in various fields, and explore new horizons for joint work, in a way that contributes to the translation of visions and directions. The ambition to lead the two countries to realistic initiatives and projects with a tangible impact.
In turn, His Excellency Rakan bin Waddah Tarabzouni explained that the holding of the Council’s third Resolve of Resolve confirms the commitment of both sides to continue working hard to complete the initiatives proposed, and to define clear parameters for each initiative to ensure its actual impact, in a way that strengthens the position of the two countries as a leading model in regional and international cooperation.

His Excellency added that what brings the Kingdom and the UAE together is not limited to institutional cooperation, but rather a partnership of destiny and a shared vision for a more prosperous future. What has been achieved so far confirms that ambition has no limits when the will is united, visions meet, and capabilities are harnessed to serve the nations, stressing that the next stage holds greater opportunities to move forward towards new horizons of integration and leadership, and advance the wheel of progress. Promising projects in the targeted sectors, in the belief that these efforts will contribute to strengthening and developing economic relations between the two countries.
In the same context, the activities of the Third Azm Retreat included a presentation on the UAE’s efforts in the field of zeroing out government bureaucracy, presented by His Excellency Hisham Amiri, Executive Director of Services Development in the Prime Minister’s Office, during which he reviewed the most prominent practices and pioneering experiences of the UAE government in developing the government work system, simplifying and reducing procedures, and eliminating unnecessary requirements in providing services.
A session was also held that dealt with the governance of the Saudi-Emirati Coordination Council, presented from the Emirati side by Mr. Abdulaziz Talib Al Habsi, Director of the Office of the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and from the Saudi side, Ms. Rozan bint Abdul Raouf Naji, Director General of International Strategic Companies at the Ministry of Economy and Planning in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and touched on a number of topics related to the work of the Council. The retreat also witnessed the holding of other sessions devoted to discussing Proposed initiatives of the integrative committees in the areas of energy, industry, infrastructure, finance and investment, environment, security of supply, and human development.
It is worth noting that the Saudi-Emirati Coordination Council, which was established in May 2016, is considered an exceptional model of partnership at the Arab and regional levels through the implementation of strategic projects in a number of areas of common interest, and the realization of the visions of the leadership of the two countries in consolidating integration in various sectors, in a way that serves the interests of the two brotherly peoples and expresses their aspirations and ambitions towards a prosperous future.

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