The EU's executive on Friday welcomed the historic agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates to normalize diplomatic relations, saying it would benefit both countries and help promote stability in the Middle East. "It is important for both (countries) and for regional stability," a European Commission spokeswoman told a news briefing, according to Reuters report. "Both countries are our partners and of course ... we are committed to a two-state solution and we are of course ready to work on a resumption of the negotiations between the Israelis and the Palestinians." Under the accord, which US President Donald Trump helped broker, Israel agreed to suspend its planned annexation of areas of the occupied West Bank. It also firms up opposition to regional power Iran, which the UAE, Israel and the United States view as the main threat in the conflict-riven Middle East. Separately, Italy on Friday welcomed the announcement of the agreement to normalize relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates. ''We hope that this important step will contribute to peace and stability in the Middle East,'' said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in a statement. ''In this framework, the Israeli decision to suspend the annexation of portions of the West Bank is a positive development, which we hope will facilitate the resumption of direct negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians aiming at a just, sustainable and lasting two-state solution, which Italy continues to strongly support as the only alternative to ensure peace and prosperity throughout the region,'' it added. — WAM
