Saudi Arabia is aiming to establish strong and positive relations with the UAE as the Kingdom seeks to enhance diplomatic and economic ties with its neighbor. This initiative comes amid strategic changes in the region, highlighting the importance of cooperation between the two countries in addressing shared challenges.
In a press conference held in Warsaw, Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan expressed the Kingdom’s enthusiasm for building “strong and positive” relations with the United Arab Emirates. However, he emphasized that the existence of these relations depends on the complete withdrawal of the UAE from Yemen, reflecting the complexities of the political situation in the region.
The minister stated, “The Kingdom has always been keen to establish strong and positive relations with the UAE.” He added that if the UAE decides to fully withdraw from the Yemeni issue, Saudi Arabia is ready to assume full responsibility. This approach aims to ensure the continuity of bilateral relations that serve the interests of regional security and development.
Yemen has witnessed numerous developments, especially with the Southern Transitional Council, backed by the UAE, gaining control over new territories in Hadramaut and Al-Mahrah. These events have raised concerns in Riyadh, prompting airstrikes and the mobilization of allied forces on the ground. Subsequently, the UAE issued a decision to withdraw all its forces from Yemen.
It is noteworthy that the UAE’s intervention in Yemen was part of the coalition that began in 2015, but the relationship between the two countries has been affected by their support for different factions in the conflicts. Saudi Arabia and the UAE have also backed competing groups in other areas, such as Sudan, further complicating matters.
Amid these dynamics, opportunities to strengthen cooperation between Saudi Arabia and the UAE remain, especially with new trends toward strong and positive relations. Saudi Arabia is optimistic about future relations with the UAE, fostering hope for the future of their partnership.