Today, Friday, the UAE is celebrating its 51st Union Day while continuing its efforts to build solidarity among the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council, which was established 41 years ago.
The 51st Union Day is the first national day in the era of Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, who took over the reins on May 14.
Assuming the presidency of the Emirates, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan continued the path begun by his late founding father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and completed by his late brother Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan in strengthening the solidarity process in the Gulf.
important message
In his speech on the occasion of the country’s 51st National Day, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan emphasized his country’s desire to strengthen the solidarity of the Arabs and the Gulf states, stressing that these countries have the potential for rapprochement and integration that may not be available to others in other regions. peace.
In this regard, he said, “In light of the rapid regional and international changes, the UAE recognizes the importance of strengthening the Arab-Arab partnership for the benefit of the Arab peoples and is doing its part to invest Arab resources and opportunities for development that benefits all.”
He continued: “The transformations in the world in recent years have confirmed the importance of strengthening all aspects of regional cooperation between countries belonging to the same region or the same geographical area, as is the case with the Arab countries in general or the countries of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf in particular, because these countries have a potential for convergence and integration that may not be available to others in other regions of the world.
And he stated that “The UAE is working in cooperation with its brothers to advance Arab integration on a new basis that is effective and realistic and based on common interests and stems from economic and development cooperation, and aims, first and foremost, for the prosperity and development of peoples.
The discussions and political meetings that he actually brings to life, through continuous discussions and mutual visits, strengthen cooperation between the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council.
The UAE National Day celebrations come days after the meeting between Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. On the sidelines of the G20 summit in Indonesia.
During the meeting, the parties exchanged warm conversations and discussed respectful bilateral relations between the two fraternal countries, as well as a number of issues of mutual interest, as well as issues and issues on the agenda of the G20 summit.
This also came after telephone conversations between His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and the Emir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on November 21, during which Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan congratulated Qatar. at the opening of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, highlighting the support of the UAE, Qatar and its efforts to host the tournament.
For his part, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani expressed gratitude and appreciation to Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for his congratulations, wishing Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan good health and prosperity, and the UAE further progress and prosperity.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, attended the opening ceremony of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar last November 20 at the invitation of Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the UAE. State of Qatar, and within the framework of fraternal relations between the two states and close ties between the two fraternal peoples.
On the 10th of the same month, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan visited Bahrain, during which he held talks with the monarch of Bahrain, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.
During the meeting, the parties exchanged heartfelt fraternal conversations reflecting the deeply rooted relationship between the UAE and the Kingdom of Bahrain and their two sister nations, as well as their common desire to consolidate them in a way that serves their mutual interests and meets their desire for further progress and development.
During the visit, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa witnessed the final stage of the joint UAE-Bahrain anti-terror exercise “Galmod 3”.
At the beginning of the exercises, the two countries signed a memorandum of cooperation in the fight against terrorism.
This visit comes just weeks after Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s historic state visit to the Sultanate of Oman on 27 and 28 September, during which he held talks with Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman, marking an important turning point in the history of relations between the two countries, with his important connotations and messages and where it led. about the results.
The visit of Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to the Sultanate of Oman, which is the highest form of official visit, underlines the strength and durability of brotherly relations between the two countries, rooted in a common history, good neighborliness, and the depth of affection that unites the peoples of the two countries.
During the visit, about 16 agreements and memorandums of understanding were signed to enhance cooperation between the two countries in various fields, the most important of which is a cooperation agreement on a railway communication project between the two countries, with a total investment of $3 billion in the project.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan held talks with the Crown Prince of the State of Kuwait, Sheikh Mishaal Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah on the sidelines of the “Jeddah Security and Development Summit” in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in July. 16.
During the meeting, they discussed the fraternal relations between the United Arab Emirates and the State of Kuwait and ways to develop them in such a way that it serves the interests of the two countries and the two fraternal peoples and strengthens the joint actions of the Gulf countries.
The parties also exchanged views on a number of issues and events of interest to the two countries.
Leader-level visits and discussions are among the dozens of visits that have taken place during the current year between officials from the UAE and various countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council, during which consultations and discussions were held to strengthen cooperation between the UAE and various countries of the Cooperation Council at various levels .
historical relations
A strong partnership, thanks to which the national days in the GCC countries have become a cherished and joint holiday, uniting the hearts of the peoples of the Persian Gulf and personifying the historical fraternal relations between the two countries, which are getting closer and stronger every year, a common destiny that brings them together, and a promising the future of these relationships.
The UAE National Day is of particular importance given the establishment of the Gulf Cooperation Council in the UAE capital Abu Dhabi on May 25, 1981.
And since the first Gulf Summit was held at the invitation of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, founder of the UAE, in Abu Dhabi in May 1981, during which the establishment of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf was officially agreed, and at the 42nd summit , which took place in the capital of Saudi Arabia Riyadh on December 14. Last December and to this day, the UAE has been making exceptional efforts to keep the Cooperation Council alive.
And Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has previously confirmed that the UAE, from which the Gulf Cooperation Council was created in 1981, has shown interest since the time of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan in everything that would strengthen the process of joint action in the Gulf to achieve security, stability and prosperity, as well as the prosperity of the people of the Council.
Initiatives and achievements
The UAE has contributed to the strengthening of brotherhood in the Gulf countries not only through its hosted Gulf Summits, which became milestones in the history of the Gulf States, which resulted in decisions in favor of maintaining security, prosperity and stability in the region and achieving prosperity for its peoples, but also thanks to all the achievements that she has achieved at any level.
This has been evident in his efforts to bring his pioneering experience in space science to the Arab and Gulf countries through the Arab Group for Space Cooperation launched by the UAE in 2019 and headquartered in Abu Dhabi to promote and energize Arab cooperation in space activities with common goals.
The group includes 14 Arab countries, including 5 countries of the Persian Gulf: Saudi Arabia, Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait and the Sultanate of Oman.
The UAE pays great attention to the process of training young Arab professionals in the field of space science and providing them with knowledge and experience that contribute to the advancement of the process of scientific and economic development in their societies.
And as one of the fruits of the actual support provided by the UAE for the promotion and development of the space industry sector in the Arab world, whether through joint projects or by attracting Arab talents and scientific competencies, training and educating them in this field, last December was launched a joint Emirati-Bahraini satellite. 1 inch light to the International Space Station.
Light 1 joins the list of projects and initiatives led by the UAE to develop and support the Arab space sector, chief among which is satellite 813, which is His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai aimed at its development, as a gift from the UAE to other countries. On the occasion of the signing of the charter establishing the Arab Group for Outer Space Cooperation.
The multispectral satellite will monitor the Earth and measure elements of the environment and climate in a number of Arab countries, including vegetation, soil types, minerals, water and their sources, as well as measure greenhouse gases, pollution and dust in the air.
This was also made clear during the UAE’s Expo 2020 Dubai, which is the first international exhibition held in the Arab world and the largest cultural event in the world, which the UAE has used as an open diplomatic, cultural and economic window to enhance bilateral cooperation. with various countries of the world in general and the countries of the Persian Gulf in particular.
During the event, which lasted 6 months and ended at the end of March last year, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan aimed to visit all the pavilions of the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council, in a message confirming the desire of the UAE and its leaders to strengthen the solidarity, interdependence and brotherhood of countries Persian Gulf.
The UAE believes that many achievements should be invested by enhancing cooperation among the countries of the region and building solidarity among them to achieve prosperity, stability and problem solving.
Cooperation is expected to expand over the coming period as the UAE continues to make progress that it will use to promote prosperity and stability, strengthen relations between the GCC and the Arab countries, and fulfill the aspirations of the peoples of the GCC.