BAHRAIN and Israel have signed a number of MoUs and expressed their determination to deepen co-operation “to show the real and practical benefits of choosing peace and dialogue as a strategic option”.
“By doing so, we can build on and expand this project, and make real progress in achieving the safe and stable region we all want to see,” Foreign Minister Dr Abdullatif Al Zayani said yesterday.
Dr Al Zayani was addressing a media conference with the visiting Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs Yair Lapid, following official talks.
He said Bahrain stressed in the talks on the crucial importance of a just and lasting two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, that would meet the rights, interests and aspirations of all parties.
He noted that the kingdom will continue to call on all parties and the international community to redouble efforts to achieve this goal.
Dr Al Zayani said the visit is an important event that reflects the rapid development of relations between the two countries over the 12 months since the historic signing of the Abraham Accords in Washington in September last year.
Progress
He said that the visit of the Israeli foreign minister builds on the great progress already made during that time and reaffirms common desire to spread peace, stability and co-operation throughout the Middle East to achieve real and lasting security and prosperity for all its peoples.
Dr Al Zayani and Mr Lapid signed a number of memoranda of understanding (MoUs) to enhance co-operation in the field of sports, environmental protection and nature conservation and innovation and development in water resources.
The Foreign Minister also presented to his Israeli counterpart the certificate of accreditation of Israel as an approved partner for the International Centre for Sea and Air Freight and Services and a letter on granting Israel the sovereign rights over the information of its subscribers in the existing cloud computing centres in Bahrain.
A memorandum of understanding was also signed between Salmaniya Medical Complex and King Hamad University Hospital with Sheba Health Services and Research Fund in Israel.
During their meeting, the two ministers discussed political and security developments in the region, regional challenges and issues of common concern at the regional and international levels.
The two sides agreed to prepare a joint action plan to determine the priorities of bilateral co-operation, and follow up on what has been agreed to advance relations and develop co-operation in a number of fields.
The meeting was attended by Under-Secretary for Political Affairs Dr Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Bahrain’s Ambassador to Israel Khalid Al Jalahma, the Israeli chargé d’affaires and senior officials from the foreign ministries of both countries.
The Israeli minister also visited the headquarters of the US Fifth Fleet and met fleet commander Vice Admiral Brad Cooper and US Embassy charge d’affaires Margaret Nardi.
Earlier, Dr Al Zayani welcomed the Israeli minister and his delegation on arrival.
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