ABU DHABI — Israeli
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett met
Abu Dhabi's crown prince on Monday after
becoming the first Israeli leader to visit the
UAE, a year after the
establishment of ties.
اضافة اعلان
Bennett met
Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed binZayed Al-Nahyan at his private palace, Israeli officials said, following the
premier's arrival in the Emirati capital late on Sunday.
His visit comes just over a year after the
wealthy Gulf state broke with decades of Arab consensus and forged diplomatic
ties under a series of US-brokered deals known as the
Abraham Accords.
Israel is also making a diplomatic push
against renewed international talks with Iran, its arch-foe, over the Islamic
republic's nuclear program.
Bennett, who was expected to focus on trade
links, according to his spokesperson, said his visit reflected a "new
reality" for the region.
"In my opinion, this is ... the new
reality this region is witnessing, and we are working together to ensure a
better future for our children," he told the UAE's official WAM news agency.
The volume of mutual trade had grown within
a few months, "with limitless future opportunities to develop it," he
added.
"Israel, like the UAE, is a regional
hub for trade. Our cooperation provides unprecedented economic opportunities
not only for us, but for more countries."
Bennett was also scheduled to meet the UAE's
technology and transport ministers during his visit, Israeli officials said.
While he is the first Israeli prime minister
to visit the UAE, Foreign Minister Yair Lapid made a landmark trip in June,
opening an embassy in Abu Dhabi and a consulate in Dubai.
The UAE opened an embassy in Tel Aviv in
July.
Read more Region and World
.jpg)
.jpg)
