Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed praises Saudi Crown Prince for 'promising vision' after TV interview

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman gave an update on the kingdom's ambitious Vision 2030 programme

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Courtesy of Saudi Royal Court via Reuters

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, on Wednesday praised Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for his "promising vision" for the kingdom.

The Saudi Crown Prince gave a wide-ranging interview on the Liwan Al Mudaifer Show on the Rotana Khalijiah channel on Tuesday evening.

It marked five years since the kingdom embarked on its Vision 2030 programme to transform the country from an oil-dependent economy to a more modern, knowledge-driven society.

"In his televised interview, my brother, Mohammed bin Salman, has set out a promising vision for the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, inspired by its rich history," Sheikh Mohamed tweeted.

"The leadership continues to steer its country and people towards a bright future."

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, also highlighted Saudi Arabia's "ambitious vision and a road map towards growth and prosperity", after Prince Mohammed's interview.

Sheikh Abdullah "expressed his appreciation for the depth of Saudi-Emirati ties ... which constitute a distinctive and unique model ... not only strategic and historical but exceptional, reinforced by blood ties and a common destiny", Wam reported.

He said he appreciated the kingdom's foreign policy goals "to strengthen its alliances with all its partners in the world, in order to achieve prosperity for all countries in the region and the world".

"The success, prosperity and stability of Saudi Arabia is to the benefit of the UAE and the region," Sheikh Abdullah said.

He also praised the Prince Mohammed for "confronting intellectual extremism in the region of whatever nature".

Sheikh Abdullah congratulated the kingdom's leadership, government and people on the five-year anniversary of the launch of Vision 2030.

In the interview, Prince Mohammed said the country's ambitious reform programme was on track, with non-oil revenue increasing 200 per cent since the initiative began in 2016.