DUBAI: Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan on Monday received Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett, who is on his first visit to the UAE.
Sheikh Mohamed welcomed Bennett, expressing hope his visit would contribute to further cooperation for the benefit of the peoples of the two countries and the peoples of the region, state news agency WAM reported.
The two leaders “reviewed bilateral cooperation and means to further develop them in various investment, economic, trade and development areas, especially the agriculture, food security, renewable energy, advanced technology, health and other vital sectors under the framework of the Abraham Accords Peace Agreement that the two countries signed last year,” the report added.
The meeting also touched upon 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 countries, WAM reported.
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, expressing his hope that stability will prevail in the Middle East.
The two sides highlighted the keenness to boost bilateral cooperation and joint action in an endeavour to enhance mutual interests and contribute to the consolidation of stability, security and development in the region.
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, earlier welcomed Bennett upon his arrival at the Presidential Terminal at Abu Dhabi International Airport.
In attendance as well during the Israeli premier’s arrival were Mohamed Mahmoud Al Khaja, UAE Ambassador to Israel, and Amir Hayek, Israel’s ambassador to the UAE.
Bennett’s visit comes after the UAE and Israel signed an agreement, known as the Abraham Accords, to normalize ties between the two countries in August 2020.
In March, the UAE established a $10 billion fund to invest in strategic sectors in Israel, WAM reported on Thursday.
In February, Mohammed Mahmoud Al-Khaja was sworn in as UAE’s ambassador to Israel, a month after the cabinet approved the setting up of an embassy in Tel Aviv.
Israel opened its first embassy in the Gulf in June, nine months after the historic deal between the countries.
