Israel, UAE agree to boost cooperation in security field

DUBAI: The head of Israel’s foreign intelligence service Mossad called on the national security adviser of the United Arab Emirates during a visit to Abu Dhabi, UAE on Tuesday.

According to details, the two officials have discussed prospects for cooperation in the security field and shared perspectives on regional developments and issues of common interest, including both countries’ efforts to limit the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.

Joseph (Yossi) Cohen and Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan discussed ways in which to support the new accord. Israel and the United Arab Emirates said on Thursday they would normalize diplomatic ties and forge a broad new relationship.

READ MORE: Trump announces historic peace agreement between UAE, Israel

Following the deal’s announcement last week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Cohen in a tweet in Arabic for his help in developing Israeli relations with Gulf states, which he said helped in securing the UAE-Israel deal.

The US officials described the agreement as to the “Abraham Accord,” named for the father of all three great faiths. The announcement makes the UAE the first Gulf Arab state to do so and only the third Arab nation to have active diplomatic ties to Israel, according to a statement.

“Israel and the UAE also said they will continue their efforts to “achieve a just, comprehensive and enduring resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,” it added.

The statement said, “The diplomatic breakthrough was at the request of President Trump, and that Israel will suspend declaring sovereignty over areas outlined in the President’s Vision for Peace and focus its efforts now on expanding ties with other countries in the Arab and Muslim world.”

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“This historic diplomatic breakthrough will advance peace in the Middle East region and is a testament to the bold diplomacy and vision of the three leaders and the courage of the United Arab Emirates and Israel to chart a new path that will unlock the great potential in the region,” the statement read.

“Delegations from Israel and the United Arab Emirates will meet in the coming weeks to sign bilateral agreements regarding investment, tourism, direct flights, security, telecommunications, and other issues,” the statement added.