UAE and Israel discuss co-operation on food and water security

Ministers from two nations agree to continue communicating on programme of co-operation for future

Mariam Al Mheiri, Minister of State for Food Security. UAE had to make quick decisions to ensure food supply, she said. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

The UAE and Israel have held discussions over co-operation on food and water security after the recent peace accord agreed to between the two nations.

UAE Minister of State for Food and Water Security, Mariam Al Mheiri, and Israel's Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alon Schuster, held an online meeting last Friday, Wam reported.

The two sides spoke of the great opportunities for both countries as a result of the peace accord.

This month, Israel and the UAE said they would begin to establish full diplomatic relations as part of a US-brokered accord that required Israel to halt its plan to annex Palestinian land in the West Bank.

On Saturday, the UAE abolished the 1972 Israel Boycott Law, allowing people and companies in the Emirates to enter into agreements with those in Israel.

Ms Al Mheiri and Mr Schuster agreed to collaborate in areas of food and water security, which are of great concern for the UAE and Israel.

They also agreed to discuss co-operation in research and development, aquaculture and agriculture technology.

Their two ministries have said they will open a direct channel and work together on a programme of co-operation for the future.