Three years ago, just a few hours before the outset of the blessed “Night of Destiny (Laylat al-Qadr)” on the 26th of Ramadan, The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia issued a Royal Order appointing His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud as Crown Prince and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense.  The Royal Order was the opening of a great future in our dear sister country Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Today, it can be frankly said that we are talking about an exceptional figure, influential at the level of the Kingdom, the region and the world as a whole.  A character that can boldly make policies, create and support the Saudi Vision 2030, which carries in its aspects a new vision for the Kingdom at all levels, with a positive impact aimed at the Saudi people who are the closest to us in the United Arab Emirates.

The Pledge of Allegiance belongs to every Emirati male and female and means a lot to us. A new era in the Kingdom, looking to the future with a unique vision and policies that anticipate and shape the future with all these political, economic and social initiatives. The Kingdom's financial and human resources are harnessed to formulate a different, prosperous future that brothers in the Kingdom deserve, with all aspirations that we see in the younger generations and in the wisdom of the elders who managed to preserve the Kingdom, its achievements and legacy.

We have always listened to political assessments by international, regional and Arab figures, and read what experts say about the future of the Kingdom under the vision of His Highness the Crown Prince. There has been a united view that this great acceptance and unanimity among Saudi citizens to support the vision of His Highness the Crown Prince is a clear evidence that this vision coincides with the spirit of the Kingdom and the desire of the Saudi brothers. The Saudi citizens have received a large share of education inside and outside the Kingdom, and lived in security and stability under its wise leadership. Such leadership has provided them with a decent life and all means needed to achieve their aspirations for a better future; the prosperous future we want for our entire region.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been and continues to be at the forefront of the Arab and Islamic worlds, with its global standing. It is one of the main powers influencing international politics and economic indicators. The late kings of the Kingdom, God bless them all, were able to maximize the status of the kingdom, which is the same power as we see in the current leadership, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and His Royal Highness, Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman, May God's protection and care always be with them.

These years have witnessed a significant development in the UAE-Saudi relations. This kind of development, however, is a natural result of decades of modern relations between the two countries. The vitality of such relations is derived from historical relations between the two leaderships and peoples, even before the emergence of the two modern states. This also refers to the fact the two peoples belong to the same roots, and that history and geography have been a unifying factor in this regard for a long term.

Today, we look with great hope at the UAE-Saudi relations, which have witnessed mutual visits by senior officials from the two countries as well as the signing of dozens of joint initiatives, agreements and plans. The Saudi-UAE Coordination Council has worked effectively at the level of meetings and specialized task forces, which have reached common formulas for action, now and in the future, based on integration projects between the two countries. This is besides the full partnership in all sectors be that in economic, agricultural, health, energy, business, technological and other fields. Such partnership can be viewed as a strategic bilateral action that enhances the position of the two countries in the world and the region, in addition to the positive impact on the life of the two nations. This is to enhance the quality of their life, promote the capacity of creativity and innovation, look forward to the future, and benefit from human and economic resources.

Today, we recall together the wise wordings of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice-President and Prime Minister of Dubai, May God's protection and care always be with him , who said in November last year, during a visit by His Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman's to the UAE: “History is made by the brave, and the history of the region today is changing because of Mohammed bin Salman". This is the UAE's view of an exceptional leader who shapes the map of the history of the region differently, influences the policies of the world, and above all, creates a new future for our dear Saudi people.

The leader of Positive Change, at the level of the Kingdom, the region and the world. A figure who has the extraordinary ability to initiate, develop and implement plans. The visionary leadership of His Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman shows that the Kingdom, with all its global weight, is able to advance among the most influential countries. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is one of the most important economies in the world, and is able to be among the first countries in this regard. His Highness sends a message to the world saying: “He has full and limitless confidence in the Saudi people who take part in the positive change process. It has been proven over time that the Saudi people have the required desire, ability and determination.”

The UAE and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia enjoy an extraordinary relationship. This is clearly shown in the beginning of a speech delivered by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, where he addressed His Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during the joint UAE-Saudi Meeting  in Abu Dhabi in November last year, saying: "My brother and my dear friend Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz”. He added: "Perhaps the best thing to start with in this precious occasion, when talking about the relations between the UAE and Saudi Arabia, is the words of our father." The late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan, in a reply to a question about Saudi Arabia:"The United Arab Emirates is wholeheartedly with Saudi Arabia, we believe that destiny is the same, we must stand as one man and we must support each other."

We would like to congratulate His Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on his achievements. We would like also to confirm that our leadership, state and people see him as a great symbol and an influential global figure. We see that his plans, initiatives and aspirations constitute a great achievement for the people of the Kingdom as if all this is happening on the land of the United Arab Emirates. We consider all that is achieved in the kingdom as if it is achieved in our Country. These are our feelings, which correspond to the reality of a deep-rooted fraternal unmatched relationship. We are all confident that the Kingdom; in the early part of the fourth year during which His Highness is assuming his position and responsibilities; will witness a great advancement at all levels. This will be for the good the Saudis, brothers of the soul, heart and mind, the closest to us in this world as we worked, sacrificed, and will stay together.

The Kingdom will always remain strong, God Willing, and we will stand together in the face of every treacherous and envious foe, and all those who want to bring evil to the security of this region and its people. We will support each other for the sake of the people of the two countries and all the people of the region. This is for the future that we all deserve, in a region that God blessed with wealth, and with a noble man of sincere intentions. A man who is aware by his pure nature that his country existed to remain and achieve progress.

HE Sheikh Shakhbout bin Nahyan Al Nahyan

UAE Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation