Saudi, UAE discuss joint visit visa, refinery project during Prince Mohammed’s visit

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman arrived in the UAE on Wednesday for an official visit – his second this year.

He was welcomed by Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, and the two leaders held talks on regional issues and on ways to strengthen mutual relations.

Mohammed bin Salman arrives at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi, where he is accorded an official reception. pic.twitter.com/OpOMS2JYar

— محمد بن زايد (@MohamedBinZayed) November 27, 2019

They also presided over the second meeting of the Saudi-Emirati coordination council in Abu Dhabi to achieve “full integration in economy, knowledge and human development, and military”, official news agency WAM reported.

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سمو #ولي_العهد يصل #أبوظبي في زيارة رسمية إلى دولة #الإمارات العربية المتحدة.#ولي_العهد_في_الامارات#واس pic.twitter.com/TAAQdF0JVD

— واس الأخبار الملكية (@spagov) November 27, 2019

The meeting reviewed progress of the council works, as well as the proposed initiatives and projects. The leaders also signed four MoUs.

Also discussed were the implementation of the seven strategic initiatives, including issuing of joint visit visa, facilitating traffic between ports of entry, joint food security strategy, cyber security, cryptocurrency, the mega refinery project and the Saudi-Emirati Youth Council.

Mohammed bin Salman and I witnessed the exchange of 4 MoUs and reviewed 7 strategic initiatives during a Saudi-Emirati Coordination Council meeting. pic.twitter.com/xGqrAudQaS

— محمد بن زايد (@MohamedBinZayed) November 27, 2019

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed lauded the positive results achieved by the council.

“Today, we have 20 joint development field in the economic, security, human development and others domains.

“Our joint economy ranks 16th globally and we can work together to become one of the top 10 economies in the world. Our overseas investments currently exceed $250bn in various economic sectors and our investment funds are ranked first in the world. We will increase our investments to be one of the top 10 countries investing globally. Our financial markets exceed $720bn and we seek to be one of the top 10 financial markets globally.”

He added: “We have worked over the past years to make a qualitative strategic shift in our bilateral relations, and we will continue on this path towards building a better future that achieves security, prosperity and overall development for our countries and peoples.”

Meanwhile Prince Mohammed bin Salman said both the countries had a lot of look forward to next year.

“2020 is the year of international achievements. We are preparing to host major international events. Saudi Arabia taking over the G20 presidency and the UAE is playing host to Expo 2020, reflecting the rising international stature enjoyed by the two countries,” WAM quoted him as saying. 

Prince Mohammed bin Salman also extended an invitation to the UAE to participate as  a guest of honour in the upcoming G20 Summit, to be presided over by the kingdom.