UAE on ‘a courageous’ path to a stable region with Israel

'It inverts traditional thinking about the way to address the region’s problems,' their statement said

Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner, centre right, and the US National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien, centre left, pose for a photo with UAE Air Force's Maj Gen Falah Al Qahtani,, and other officials at Al Dhafra airbase in Abu Dhabi. Reuters

Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner at Louvre Abu Dhabi. Twitter/ @USAinUAE

Senior adviser to the US president Jared Kushner being shown a replica of the Abrahamic Family House at Louvre Abu Dhabi. Twitter/ @USAinUAE

Senior advisor to the US president Jared Kushner at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. Twitter/ @USAinUAE

Israeli National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat greets an Emirati official as he makes his way to board the plane to leave Abu Dhabi. EPA

White House senior adviser Jared Kushner and US National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien during a visit to Al Dhafra airbase in Abu Dhabi. Reuters

Senior advisor to the US president Jared Kushner at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. Twitter/ @USAinUAE

Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr Anwar Gargash and head of Israel's National Security Council Meir Ben-Shabbat. Twitter/ @USAinUAE

Israeli National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat, Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash hold a meeting in Abu Dhabi. Reuters

Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner, right, with Israeli National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat, left, arrive in the UAE on the first commercial flight between Israel and the UAE. Victor Besa / The National

Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner speaks as US National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien looks on. Victor Besa / The National

Israeli National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat, centre, and US National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien, on the tarmac after disembarking from the El Al flight. Victor Besa / The National

Head of Israel's National Security Council Meir Ben-Shabbat delivers a speech upon his arrival. AFP

US National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien delivers a speech upon arrival in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

US National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien, right, delivers a speech as Israeli National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat and White House adviser Jared Kushner look on. Victor Besa / The National

US-Israeli delegation led by White House adviser Jared Kushner arrive in Abu Dhabi on the first commercial flight between Israel and the UAE. Victor Besa / The National

Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner, US National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien and Israeli National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat disembark a plane after landing at Abu Dhabi International Airport. Reuters

US and Israeli flags at Abu Dhabi airport. Victor Besa / The National

A UAE official waits for Israeli and US delegates to disembark the Israeli flag carrier El Al's airliner after landing at Abu Dhabi International Airport. Reuters

Senior White House adviserJared Kushner and US National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien speak to the media in an El Al airplane. AFP

Reporters, Israeli and US delegates travelling on an Israeli El Al airliner prepare to disembark on arrival in Abu Dhabi. AP

Israeli National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat, US National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien and US President's senior adviser Jared Kushner are seated during Israeli flag carrier El Al's flight LY971, from Tel Aviv to Abu Dhabi. EPA

An official greeting message is seen on the Israeli carrier El Al airliner carrying Israeli and US delegates during their flight to Abu Dhabi. Reuters

The Israeli flag carrier El Al's airliner lands at Abu Dhabi International Airport. Victor Besa / The National

The Israeli flag carrier El Al's airliner lands at Abu Dhabi International Airport. Victor Besa / The National

The Israeli flag carrier El Al's airliner approaches to land in Abu Dhabi. Reuters

A view of the scenery through the window of Israeli flag carrier El Al's flight LY971, as it is approaching for landing at the airport of Abu Dhabi. EPA

Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner, left, Israel's National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat, right, and US National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien, board the El Al flight to Abu Dhabi. EPA

The US-Israel delegation board the plane. EPA

Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner and US National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien pose with members of the US-Israel delegation before boarding the El Al's flight. AP

Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner, right, looks on as US National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien speaks before boarding the El Al's flight. AP

The Arabic, English and Hebrew word for 'Peace' is seen on the Israeli flag carrier El Al's airliner which carried Israel-US delegations to meet Emirati leadership in Abu Dhabi. AP

A seat covering says 'Making History' in Arabic, English and Hebrew. Reuters

A flight crew member stands in front of the El Al jet. AP

Flight crew hold a meeting before the historic flight. Reuters

A pilot goes through pre-flight checks. Reuters

Screens displaying flight number LY971 to Abu Dhabi at Tel Aviv airport. Reuters

Screens displaying flight number LY971 to Abu Dhabi at Tel Aviv airport. Reuters

The UAE, US and Israel have reaffirmed that the accord reached by the three nations is "a courageous step towards a more stable, integrated and prosperous Middle East".

The conclusion came in a three-nation statement issued during the visit to the UAE by a top US-Israeli delegation, led by Jared Kushner, senior adviser to US President Donald Trump.

Their statement said: "The accord reached between the United States, Israel and the United Arab Emirates on August 13, 2020 is a courageous step towards a more stable, integrated and prosperous Middle East.

"It inverts traditional thinking about the way to address the region’s problems and challenges, focusing on pragmatic steps that have tangible, practical outcomes."

The three countries believe the accord promised "new bridges that will serve to de-escalate existing conflicts and prevent future conflicts".

They said the agreement came "at the right time".

"Over the last decade we have seen a marked increase in war, destruction and dislocation, and a growing demographic shift towards a younger population.

"If we are to meet the needs of current and future generations, we must be responding actively to all these changes."

Terming the accord "a historic breakthrough" the joint statement referred to the subsequent developments that signalled the normalising of "ties between Israel and the UAE and has led to the suspension of Israel’s plans to extend its sovereignty".

"On Saturday, the UAE formally abolished its 40-year boycott law, thereby allowing UAE companies and individuals to trade directly with Israel.

"Israeli and Emirati ministers, from foreign affairs to food security, have initiated their first official discussions on continuing and strengthening co-operation.

"We have already opened phone lines between the two countries and as we speak, Israelis and Emiratis are collaborating on research we hope will lead to a breakthrough in the treatment of Covid-19.

"Today we have witnessed the first commercial flight by Israel’s El Al airlines to the UAE, carrying both Israeli officials and media.

"Tomorrow, Emirati, Israeli and American officials will begin discussing bilateral technical co-operation in seven key areas: investment, finance, health, the civilian space programme, civil aviation, foreign policy and diplomatic affairs, and tourism and culture.

"The result will be broad co-operation between two of the region’s most innovative and dynamic economies."

The joint statement also called upon Palestinians to restart negotiations with Israel.

"The United States and the UAE urge Palestinian leaders to re-engage with their Israeli counterparts in discussions aimed at achieving peace."

The UAE and Israel expressed happiness over the "overwhelmingly positive response" to the accord from countries around the world and thanked President Trump "for his leadership and to his administration for the critical role it has played in achieving this diplomatic breakthrough".

The two countries also expressed their gratitude to the US Congress for "the broad bipartisan support" to the accord.

"We hope and expect that in the near future our collective efforts will set in motion a cascade of positive changes, both large and small, that will put our respective peoples and the wider region on a solid path to security, prosperity and peace."

Israeli and American officials travelled to Abu Dhabi on Monday on board the first commercial flight from Israel to the UAE since the accord was sealed.

Mr Kushner, who is Mr Trump's son-in-law and a key architect of Washington's Middle East policy, was on board.

He hailed the historic flight and praised Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, for his leadership and courage.

Sheikh Mohamed is "truly leading the new Middle East", Mr Kushner said.

"The very few who have been critical of this peace agreement are the ones with a long track record of failure," he said.