Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed invites Israeli president to UAE

The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces extended the offer to Reuven Rivlin on Tuesday

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed has invited Israeli president Reuven Rivlin to visit the UAE. Ministry of Presidential Affairs    

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed has invited Israeli president Reuven Rivlin to visit the UAE.

The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces made the offer during an exchange of messages with Mr Rivlin on Tuesday.

Sheikh Mohamed expressed the UAE's appreciation for the role Israel played in the historic Abraham Accord signed between the countries at the White House in September.

The agreement cemented efforts to normalise UAE-Israeli relations.

Israel's president offered his own thanks to the UAE,  for helping to pave the way for a new era of partnership.

The two leaders also discussed ways to bolster ties during the conversation.

As part of the flourishing links, Emiratis can travel to Israel for up to 90 days without a visa, officials announced last month.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation said the exemption was part of a mutual visa waiver deal reached by the UAE and Israel.

The UAE Cabinet ratified the landmark Abraham Accord in October.

In a statement on the UAE Government's Twitter account, the Cabinet said it was confident the agreement would boost peace and stability in the region and allow  the nations to forge closer economic and cultural ties.

Last month, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, met his Israeli counterpart Gabi Ashkenazi in Germany in a further demonstration of a growing partnership in the weeks since the milestone agreement was signed.

Sheikh Abdullah said he hoped the improved relations would provide “new impetus towards stability and peace” in the Middle East.

“The Middle East has entered a new era towards security and prosperity after the signing of the peace treaty with Israel,” Sheikh Abdullah said at the time.

“We have participated with Germany and Israel in promoting the values of tolerance in our countries."

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