Abu Dhabi - This is CP Mohammed bin Salman's second visit in the past one year.
Published: Thu 28 Nov 2019, 3:51 PM
Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz, Saudi Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, arrived in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday evening for a state visit. He was warmly received by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
"I am delighted to welcome my brother and friend, Mohammed bin Salman to his second home, the UAE. Our dear guest is among his family," Sheikh Mohamed tweeted soon after receiving the royal guest.
Cannons boomed 22 rounds as Mohammed bin Salman's royal cavalcade arrived at the Presidential Palace at around 6.15pm. Men mounted on horseback and carrying UAE and Saudi flags ushered in the visiting prince to the Presidential Palace compound where he was accorded a state welcome.
Jets flew above the Presidential Palace and cabinet ministers and Sheikhs greeted the state guest.
National anthems of both countries were played and Mohammed bin Salman inspected the royal guard. Both the leaders held closed door meetings where they are expected to discuss strengthening of strategic partnership between the two countries.
The Saudi Crown Prince's visit to the UAE underlines the historic and close ties shared between the two countries that share similar political and economic interests.
The visit - second time by Mohammed bin Salman in the past one year - also underscores the special bond between the two leaders, who are together spearheading a new regional order where both UAE and Saudi Arabia are taking a lead in establishing stability and progress.
Most recently, both Crown Princes were in Riyadh to oversee the Riyadh Agreement between the government of Yemen and the Southern Transitional Council to end a power struggle that threatened to worsen the political crisis in Yemen.
To coincide with the state visit, the UAE Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Shakhbout bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, and his Saudi counterpart, Turki Aldakhil, said in joint op-ed that bot countries are determined to work hand-in-hand towards a "bright future" filled with economic stability and sustainable development.
The two diplomats, who enjoy a strong relationship solidified by a decade-long friendship, even prior to assuming their posts, said in the Op-ed that Riyadh and Abu Dhabi are aware of the importance of having a vision for the future, "especially since some 70 percent of our people are in their prime, under the age of 35." The Op-ed was written on the occasion of the upcoming Saudi-Emirati Coordination Council, which will be held in Abu Dhabi under the chairmanship of the Crown Princes of both countries.