Bahrain and Israel agree to establish full diplomatic relations

Bahrain has joined the United Arab Emirates in striking an agreement to normalise relations with Israel.

The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation commended the move, expressing its hope that establishing relations would have a positive effect on the climate for peace and cooperation regionally and internationally.

The Ministry also noted that the move represents a significant step towards an era of security and prosperity, underscoring that it would expand the scope of economic, cultural, scientific and diplomatic avenues of cooperation.

President Donald Trump tweeted out the news on Friday after he spoke by phone to both Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the White House said.

A joint statement issued by the three leaders said they had agreed on “establishment of full diplomatic relations between Israel and the Kingdom of Bahrain.”

The statement was also tweeted out by Mr Trump.

My Kushner emphasised the added significance of the accord with it coming on the anniversary of 9/11. “This is a culmination of four years of great work … the president secured alliances to do that,” he said.

Mr Kushner said the Bahraini delegation, led by the foreign minister Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, will sign the agreement during Tuesday’s White House ceremony that was planned to host the UAE-Israel agreement ratification.

source:thenational.ae