Israel on Sunday announced it has opened its embassy in the United Arab Emirates, following through on last year's US-brokered agreement to establish full diplomatic ties with the Gulf country.
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The embassy is the latest in the Jewish state's diplomatic outreach to the Arab world. "The Israeli Embassy in Abu Dhabi has officially been opened, with the arrival of mission head Eitan Naeh," a Foreign Ministry statement said. "The Israeli Embassy in the United Arab Emirates will advance relations between the countries on all levels."
The embassy will be operating from temporary offices until locating a permanent facility, the ministry said. It will "expand ties with the Emirati government, financial bodies, and the private sector, universities, the media and more," it added.
Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi said that the opening of the new embassy would "enable the expansion of bilateral relations between Israel and the Emirates for a swift and maximal implementation of the potential in these ties."
Ashkenazi also thanked the UAE "heir to the throne, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, and my colleague and friend, Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, for their leadership and hospitality towards our representatives."
The UAE cabinet on Sunday approved the establishment of an embassy in Tel Aviv in Israel, state-run WAM news agency reported.
Ashkenazi welcomed the UAE decision, saying it "will advance the warm ties between the states and peoples."
Since formally establishing ties in September, the two countries have already established direct flights and exchanged numerous trade delegations, while thousands of Israeli tourists have visited the UAE.
The UAE was the first of four Arab countries to establish or renew ties with Israel under the Abraham Accords, brokered by the Trump administration.
The Foreign Ministry said Israel would soon open an interest section in Morocco and a consulate in Dubai. It also said an embassy in Bahrain has been operating for several weeks.
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