Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett on Monday met with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed at his private palace in Abu Dhabi, according to Emirati news agency WAM. It marked the first official visit of an Israeli Prime Minister to the United Arab Emirates and comes 15 months after the signing of a normalization agreement between the two countries. Welcoming Bennet, Sheikh Mohammed expressed hope that the Israeli Prime Minister's visit, which would contribute to further cooperation for the benefit of the peoples of the two countries and the peoples of the region. 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 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. During the meeting, Sheikh Mohammed 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. He said that the Middle East is a land of peace and a cradle of heavenly religions that shone over the whole world with the call of goodness and love. For his part, the Israeli Prime Minister expressed his pleasure at his first visit to the UAE and his meeting with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed. He commended the level of cooperation between the two countries and the steps they are taking based on the Abraham Accords signed by the two sides. Concluding the meeting, 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. They also shed light on the importance of broadening qualitative partnerships in the investment and economic fields that serve the priorities of sustainable development in the two countries and the wider region. The meeting was attended by Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Adviser; Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; Sheikh Khalid bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Board of Zayed Higher Organisation for People of Determination (ZHO); Sheikh Khalid bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Office; Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, along with a number of sheikhs and senior officials. Bennett had earlier highlighted growing trade ties between his country and the UAE in an interview with WAM. "The volume of mutual trade has expedited within a few months with limitless future opportunities to develop it. Israel, like the UAE, is a regional hub for trade. Our cooperation provides unprecedented economic opportunities not only for us, but for more countries, which is another element for enhancing stability and prosperity in this region," Bennett is quoted as saying. The Israeli leader mentioned cyber security, health, education and aviation as four areas where the two countries were enjoying fruitful trade and investment, WAM wrote. In addition to trade, the normalization agreement signed between Israel and the UAE, one of a series of such agreements inked between Israel and Arab states in the last months of the Trump administration, is also seen in Israel as having a strong regional security component to it. — Agencies
