UAE and Israel to normalise diplomatic relations

The UAE and Israel have agreed to the full normalisation of diplomatic relations.

It came following talks between His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, US President Donald Trump and Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

According to a joint statement on national news agency WAM, this historic diplomatic breakthrough will advance peace in the Middle East region and is a testament to the bold diplomacy and vision of the three leaders and the courage of the UAE and Israel to chart a new path.

All three countries face many common challenges and will mutually benefit from today’s historic achievement, the statement added.

As a result of this diplomatic breakthrough, Israel will suspend declaring sovereignty over areas outlined in the President’s Vision for Peace and focus its efforts now on expanding ties with other countries in the Arab and Muslim world.

H.H. Sheikh Mohamed said an agreement was reached between the sides to stop further Israeli annexation of Palestinian territories.

During a call with President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu, an agreement was reached to stop further Israeli annexation of Palestinian territories. The UAE and Israel also agreed to cooperation and setting a roadmap towards establishing a bilateral relationship.

— محمد بن زايد (@MohamedBinZayed) August 13, 2020

The UAE, Israel and the US are confident that additional diplomatic breakthroughs with other nations are possible, and will work together to achieve this goal.

Delegations from the UAE and Israel will meet in the coming weeks to sign bilateral agreements regarding investment, tourism, direct flights, security, telecommunications, technology, energy, healthcare, culture, the environment, the establishment of reciprocal embassies, and other areas of mutual benefit.

Opening direct ties between two of the Middle East's most dynamic societies and advanced economies will transform the region by spurring economic growth, enhancing technological innovation, and forging closer people-to-people relations.

The UAE and Israel will also immediately expand and accelerate cooperation regarding the treatment of and the development of a vaccine for the coronavirus.