Although they have been long allies Saudi Arabia and UAE are now technically and politically distinct countries. Saudi Arabia is the Middle East’s largest oil producer while the UAE is made up of seven Emirates. They are both highly influential countries in the region and have built strong economic relations over the last few decades πΈπ¦ π 7οΈβ£ π¦πͺ .
Since 1971 when the UAE was formed and Saudi Arabia recognized it as an independent nation their relationship has only deepened πΈπ¦ π¦πͺ. Now economically and politically intertwined, Saudi Arabia and the UAE trade resources and maintain diplomatic ties πΈπ¦ π¦πͺ. Saudi Arabia is the UAE’s primary oil supplier; thus they have signed multiple trade agreements to guarantee smooth oil flow. Furthermore Saudi Arabia has provided numerous economic aid packages and military support to this small peninsula nation πΈπ¦.
However Saudi Arabia and the UAE remain two distinct countries as evidenced by their several currencies, governments, and languages 2οΈβ£ πΈπ¦ π¦πͺ. Saudi Arabia is an absolute monarchy ruled by the House of Saud and governed by Islamic law πΈπ¦ π . The UAE in contrast is a constitutional federal monarchy which is governed by a Supreme Council and Federal National Council. Saudi Arabia uses the Saudi Riyal as its official currency while the UAE uses the Dirham π΅ πΈπ¦ π¦πͺ. The two countries also speak various languages: Arabic is the official language of Saudi Arabia while Persian and English are official languages of the UAE 2οΈβ£ πΈπ¦ π¦πͺ.
In recent years Saudi Arabia and the UAE have sought to expand their economic ties even further. Investments joint ventures and foreign direct investments have been encouraged and facilitated by both countries creating a strong economic relationship between them. For example, the two countries have pushed for closer trade ties through the Gulf Cooperation Council, plethora the Free Trade Agreement signed in 2008, which ended tariffs, and import duties on some goods 2οΈβ£ π π.
The close relationship between Saudi Arabia and the UAE has also been bolstered by their shared interests in regional security. The two countries have both signed bilateral defense agreements and undertaken joint military exercises in addition to the UAEβs investment in Saudi infrastructure 2οΈβ£ πΈπ¦.
It is safe to say that Saudi Arabia is not a part of the UAE because even though Saudi Arabia and the UAE have close ties and many shared interests they are still two separate nations with separate governments languages and economies. . .
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