 The principle of union was first agreed between the ruler of Abu Dhabi , Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan , and Sheikh Rashid of Dubai on 18 February 1968 meeting in an encampment at <unk> Al <unk> , near Al <unk> , a desert stop between the two emirates . The two agreed to work towards bringing the other emirates , including Qatar and Bahrain , into the union . Over the next two years , negotiations and meetings of the rulers followed <unk> <unk> as a form of union was thrashed out . The nine @-@ state union was never to recover from the October 1969 meeting where heavy @-@ handed British intervention resulted in a walk @-@ out by Qatar and Ras Al Khaimah . Bahrain and Qatar were to drop out of talks , leaving only six emirates to agree on union on 18 July 1971 . 
