In a major diplomatic move to strengthen GCC ties, a Saudi delegation led by Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal held talks with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, crown prince of Abu Dhabi, on Thursday.

The two sides discussed ways of strengthening the deep-rooted bilateral cooperation in different sectors to achieve strategic objectives, an official statement said.

They also agreed to strengthen the GCC by unifying stances on various issues, it added.

“Such a united stand is essential to confront dangers and challenges facing the region,” said the statement issued after the Abu Dhabi talks, which also focused on major developments in the region and the need to make combined efforts to bolster regional security and stability.

The Saudi delegation, which included intelligence chief Prince Khaled bin Bandar and Interior Minister Prince Mohammed bin Naif, arrived in the UAE capital earlier in the day following their visits to Qatar and Bahrain on Wednesday.

Sheikh Mohammed conveyed the greetings of UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and Crown Prince Salman and wished every progress for the Kingdom and its people, said the Saudi Press Agency.

Sheikh Mohammed, who is the supreme deputy commander of the UAE armed forces, commended King Abdullah’s vision for strengthening the region’s stability and progress.

He also noted the strategic relations between the two Gulf countries.

The Saudi diplomatic drive comes ahead of a key GCC meeting in Jeddah on Saturday.