Sheikh Khaled says US-GCC relations 'exceed usual horizons' at Riyadh summit

Abu Dhabi Crown Prince takes part in talks aimed at bolstering ties with Washington

Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, led the UAE delegation to the Gulf-US Summit in Riyadh. Photo: Abu Dhabi Media Office

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Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, on Wednesday headed the UAE delegation to the GCC-US Summit in Riyadh, on behalf of President Sheikh Mohamed.

The meeting, which brought Gulf leaders together with US President Donald Trump, discussed ways to enhance security and stability in the region, state news agency Wam reported.

Sheikh Khaled thanked Saudi Arabia’s King Salman for hosting the summit, describing it as an opportunity to build on the strategic partnership between the GCC and the US. He also said he is confident that progress made in the talks will serve the future of both societies.

Enhancing regional and international security remains a priority, Sheikh Khaled said, and he emphasised the important role played by the US in this regard.

“The ties between the GCC countries and the United States go beyond the framework of traditional relations, exceeding the usual horizons, and the shared desire to co-operate has contributed to achieving major partnerships and achievements in new fields, including artificial intelligence, modern technology, space exploration and the development of civil nuclear energy programmes, among others,” he said.

He expressed his optimism over diplomatic talks between the US and Iran, noting that the UAE continues to support the success of these negotiations. He also highlighted the UAE’s support of dialogue and diplomacy, as embodied in the Abraham Accords of 2020. Sheikh Khaled called on all sides to find a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and reach a settlement that guarantees the rights of Palestinians through the establishment of an independent state.

UAE-Saudi ties

Sheikh Khaled also met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on the sidelines of the summit.

The meeting focused on the long-standing bonds between the two countries, Abu Dhabi Media Office reported, and explored ways to strengthen bilateral co-operation across various fields.

The Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Saudi Crown Prince also underscored the importance of consolidating Gulf efforts to enhance regional stability and support continued development.

Historic visit

Sheikh Khaled was earlier greeted in the Saudi capital by Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman, the deputy governor of Riyadh.

He was joined by an Emirati delegation, which included Sheikh Khalifa bin Tahnoon, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Court; Ali Al Shamsi, Secretary General of the Supreme Council for National Security; Khaldoon Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority; Yousef Al Otaiba, UAE ambassador to the US; Lana Nusseibeh, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Political Affairs; Saif Ghobash, Secretary General of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council; and Maryam AlMheiri, Chairwoman of the Abu Dhabi Media Office.

The Abu Dhabi Crown Prince is representing President Sheikh Mohamed and took part in the “family photo” of Gulf leaders and dignitaries with the US President on Wednesday.

The summit is part of Mr Trump's high-profile tour of the region, which seeks to bolster ties between the Gulf and the US. He is visiting Qatar on Wednesday and will then travel to the UAE.

The US President arrived in Riyadh on Tuesday, where he was received by the Saudi Crown Prince.

Mr Trump marked the first day of what he has described as a “historic” visit by lifting sanctions on Syria, offering to mend fences with Iran and encouraging Saudi Arabia to forge ties with Israel.

He lauded the region's leaders for having “achieved a modern miracle, the Arabian way” by bringing prosperity and growing diplomatic clout to the Middle East. He described Riyadh as an emerging “business, cultural and high-tech capital of the entire world”.