ABU DHABI 15 August 2020: Nations from across the world have congratulated the UAE on its courageous step forward for peace by normalising relations with Israel.
Oman supports UAE’s decision on relations with Israel: The Sultanate of Oman expressed its support for the UAE’s decision regarding relations with Israel within the framework of the historic joint announcement between the UAE, the US and Israel.
Ina statement carried out by Oman News Agency, ONA, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said,” The Sultanate of Oman hopes the agreement will contribute to achieving the comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East and fulfil the aspirations of the peoples in the region in sustaining pillars of security and stability and create factors for progress and prosperity for all.”
Sincere congratulations from Bahrain
The Kingdom of Bahrain expressed its sincere congratulations to the UAE and its wise leadership for announcing with the United States of America and Israel an agreement halting the annexation of the Palestinian territories, as step towards the achievement of peace in the Middle East.
The Bahraini Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement, “The Kingdom of Bahrain commends the sincere diplomatic efforts made by the UAE and stresses that this historic step will contribute to the consolidation of stability and peace in the region.
It hails, at the same time, the great efforts made by the United States of America to reach this deal, in continuation of US efforts to strengthen the foundations of world security, stability and peace and looks forward to more efforts to reach a just, comprehensive and lasting solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.”
Egypt congratulates Mohamed
President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt congratulated Sheikh Mohamed on the UAE’s historic step towards Israel, saying that such a step will contribute to driving the peace process and opening new horizons for stability in the Middle East.
He also praised the agreement reached by the UAE, the United States and Israel to halt the Israeli annexation of Palestinian territories, in a way that will maintain the two-state solution and revive opportunities for peace between the Palestinians and Israelis.
Global Council for Tolerance and Peace praises move
The Global Council for Tolerance and Peace praised the historic diplomatic achievement brokered by the United States, US, between the UAE and Israel, which it said will enhance peace in the Middle East and the world at large.
“The agreement between the UAE, Israel and the US is a testament to the bold diplomatic and sound vision of the UAE leadership in making this diplomatic breakthrough through which Israel will stop the annexation of Palestinian lands under the Trump Peace Plan,” said President of the Global Council for Tolerance and Peace, Ahmad bin Mohammad Aljarwan, in a statement on Friday.
“In the name of the Council and all its members and partners, we congratulate His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, for this historic diplomatic milestone which will chart a more secure and peaceful future for the people of the world and realise development, prosperity and a decent life for the whole humanity,” he added.
Alberto Enrique Allende, Speaker of the International Parliament for Tolerance and Peace, a part of the Council, congratulated His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, saying the agreement will further promote peace and tolerance in the region and the world.
Welcome step on road to peace, says British PM
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson hailed the joint statement by the United States, the United Arab Emirates and the State of Isreal, describing it as a “welcome step on the road to a more peaceful Middle East.”
Johnson wrote on his twitter account, “The UAE and Israel’s decision to normalise relations is hugely good news.”
He also praised the agreement reached to stop further Israeli annexation of Palestinian territories.
“It was my profound hope that annexation did not go ahead in the West Bank and today’s agreement to suspend those plans is a welcome step on the road to a more peaceful Middle East.”
India welcomes relations
“India has consistently supported peace, stability and development in West Asia, which is its extended neighbourhood. In that context, we welcome the full normalisation of ties between UAE and Israel. Both nations are key strategic partners of India,” said the official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs during the virtual weekly media briefing today,said Wam.
”India continues its traditional support for the Palestinian cause. We hope to see early resumption of direct negotiations to find an acceptable two-state solution,” he added.
UN chief welcomes joint statement
The UN Secretary-General António Guterres has welcomed a joint statement by the leaders of the United States, the United Arab Emirates, and Israel, which suspends Israeli annexation of Palestinian territories, something the UN has consistently called for.
“Annexation would effectively close the door for a renewal of negotiations and destroy the prospect of a viable Palestinian State and the two-State solution,” Mr. Guterres said in a statement issued by his spokesperson on Thursday.
The Secretary-General also expressed hope that the agreement “will create an opportunity for Israeli and Palestinian leaders to re-engage in meaningful negotiations that will realize a two State-solution in line with relevant UN resolutions, international law and bilateral agreements.”
EU welcomes bilateral relations
The EU’s executive on Friday welcome the agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates to normalise diplomatic ties, 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.
“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 U.S. President Donald Trump helped broker, Israel agreed to suspend its planned annexation of areas of the occupied West Bank.
Japan welcomes joint statement by US, UAE and Israel
The Japanese government welcomed on Friday the joint statement issued by the United States, the United Arab Emirates and the State of Israel.
A statement issued by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the agreement to halt annexation of Israeli annexation of the Palestinian territories as a “positive move and a first step toward easing tension and stabilisation in the region.”
Macron hails ‘courageous’ UAE decision on Israel ties
French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed Friday the decision by the United Arab Emirates to normalise ties with Israel, according to Agence France Presse.
“I hail the courageous decision by the United Arab Emirates and its desire to contribute the establishment of a just and lasting peace between the Israelis and Palestinians,” Macron tweeted.
Germany hails normalisation of relations
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas has welcomed the treaty to establish “diplomatic relations between the United Arab Emirates and Israel”.
The German top diplomat issued a statement, hailing the treaty as ‘historic’. “I have just spoken to Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi on the telephone and offered him my congratulations on this historic step. The normalisation of relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates is an important contribution to achieving peace in the region. It is good that the Israeli Government has agreed to suspend its annexation plans,” he said.
“We hope that this agreement will be the starting point for further positive developments in the region and that it can also inject fresh impetus into the Middle East peace process. We continue to maintain that only a negotiated two-state solution can bring lasting peace to the Middle East. Together with our partners in Europe and the region, we have been working intensively in recent months to prevent an annexation and to support the resumption of direct negotiations. We are also prepared to lend our active support to this process,” added the statement.
The German government’s spokesperson, Steffen Seibert, likewise expressed hope the treaty would pave the way to renew negotiations over the two-state solution.
Italy welcomes agreement
Italy on Friday welcomed the announcement of the agreement to normalise 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.
Belgium welcomes normalisation of relations
The Kingdom of Belgium welcomed the “rapprochement between Israel and the UAE, facilitated by the US, as a step towards peace in the region”.
In a statement, Philippe Goffin, the Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs and of Defence, said: “The announcement of the suspension of annexation plans is a step in the right direction, but should be converted into a definitive measure.”
He added that lasting peace in the region rests on “a 2-state solution based on international law and internationally agreed parameters.”
Austria welcomes joint statement by US, UAE and Israel
Austria has welcomed the announcement of the joint statement by the United States, the United Arab Emirates and the State of Israel.
In a statement released today, the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the announcement as “a historic step towards a more peaceful and prosperous Middle East.”
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