UAE-Israel accord is 'courageous step' for Middle East

The UAE, US and Israel have reaffirmed that last month's deal agreed by the three nations is "a courageous step towards a more stable, integrated and prosperous Middle East".

A tripartite statement was issued at the end of the first day of the visit to Abu Dhabi by the US-Israeli delegation, led by Jared Kushner, Senior Advisor to US President Donald Trump.

It said, "The accord reached between the United States, Israel and the United Arab Emirates on August 13, 2020 is a courageous step towards a more stable, integrated and prosperous Middle East.

"It inverts traditional thinking about the way to address the region’s problems and challenges, focusing on pragmatic steps that have tangible, practical outcomes. It carries with it the promise of new bridges that will serve to de-escalate existing conflicts and prevent future conflicts.

"And it comes at the right time. Over the last decade we have seen a marked increase in war, destruction and dislocation, and a growing demographic shift towards a younger population. If we are to meet the needs of current and future generations, we must be responding actively to all these changes.

"The accord has initiated a historic breakthrough in normalizing ties between Israel and the UAE and has led to the suspension of Israel’s plans to extend its sovereignty. The United States and the UAE urge Palestinian leaders to reengage with their Israeli counterparts in discussions aimed at achieving peace.

"On Saturday, the UAE formally abolished its 40-year boycott law, thereby allowing UAE companies and individuals to trade directly with Israel.

"Israeli and Emirati ministers, from foreign affairs to food security, have initiated their first official discussions on continuing and strengthening cooperation. We have already opened phone lines between the two countries and as we speak, Israelis and Emiratis are collaborating on research we hope will lead to a breakthrough in the treatment of COVID-19.

"Today we have witnessed the first commercial flight by Israel’s El Al airlines to the UAE, carrying both Israeli officials and media. Tomorrow, Emirati, Israeli and American officials will begin discussing bilateral technical cooperation in seven key areas: investment, finance, health, the civilian space program, civil aviation, foreign policy and diplomatic affairs, and tourism and culture. The result will be broad cooperation between two of the region’s most innovative and dynamic economies.

"The UAE and Israel wish to express their gratitude for the overwhelmingly positive response to this historic accord from governments around the world. We are especially grateful to President Trump for his leadership and to his administration for the critical role it has played in achieving this diplomatic breakthrough. We are also greatly encouraged by the broad bipartisan support for this breakthrough from the United States Congress.

"We hope and expect that in the near future our collective efforts will set in motion a cascade of positive changes, both large and small, that will put our respective peoples and the wider region on a solid path to security, prosperity and peace."

His Highness Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Adviser, welcomed the joint US-Israeli delegation to the United Arab Emirates.

Tahnoun bin Zayed receives joint US-Israeli delegation in presence of Abdullah bin Zayed#WamNews https://t.co/o23LgdVkpj pic.twitter.com/WUGP1x7Skn

— WAM English (@WAMNEWS_ENG) August 31, 2020

Sheikh Tahnoun wished them a successful and mutually beneficial visit.

The meeting was also attended by His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Member of the Executive Council, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Office, and Chairman of the Executive Committee.

They discussed relations between the UAE and Israel as well as ways to enhance future collaboration in support of peace, stability and development in the region.