Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met on Monday with visiting Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett.
Sheikh Mohamed expressed hope that the Israeli Prime Minister's visit, which is the first to the United Arab Emirates, would contribute to further cooperation for the benefit of the peoples of the two countries and the peoples of the region, Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported.
It said Sheikh Mohamed and the Israeli Prime Minister reviewed bilateral cooperation and means to further develop them under the framework of the Abraham Accords Peace Agreement that the two countries signed last year.
The meeting also touched on the importance of Expo 2020 Dubai, especially for countries in the Middle East to take advantage of the opportunities and the latest sustainability solutions and innovations offered by the participating states.
During the meeting, Sheikh Mohamed highlighted that the UAE’s foreign relations are based on firm principles of mutual respect, cooperation and upholding the values of coexistence and peace, noting that this is the best way to achieve the aspirations of peoples.
The Israeli Prime Minister commended the level of cooperation between the two countries and the steps they are taking based on the Abraham Accords.
The two sides highlighted the keenness to boost bilateral cooperation and joint action to enhance mutual interests and contribute to the consolidation of stability, security and development in the region. They also shed light on the importance of broadening qualitative investment and economic partnerships that serve the priorities of sustainable development in the two countries and the wider region.
The Abraham Accords Peace Agreement constituted a vital move towards achieving peace, enhancing security, and promoting stability in the region, WAM reported Monday.
A year after the signing of the Agreement in September 2020, the bilateral relations between the two countries have achieved remarkable development, it said.
The value of intra-UAE trade with Israel amounted to more than AED3.5 billion until the end of September, and the value of non-oil foreign trade between the two countries exceeded AED2.9 billion during the first nine months of this year, WAM added.
Bennett has affirmed that the Agreement established a "new, deep and solid structure for diplomatic, economic and cultural relations" in this region based on cooperation that achieves prosperity for the societies and well-being of the people.
In an exclusive interview with WAM, Bennett said: "In my opinion, this is what the peace and the new reality this region is witnessing, and we are working together to ensure a better future for our children."
Bennett said that the relations that bind Israel with the UAE cover every possible field, pointing out that ministries in the two countries work with each other, as well as many companies and businessmen, and delegations from both sides pay reciprocal visits.
He added: "I expect that our relations will remain good, especially in the economic field. In my opinion, cooperation in the field of health and food security will constitute a major part of the mutual cooperation."
