New horizons for peace: Countries hail historic UAE-Israel treaty

World leaders have hailed the historic peace treaty between the UAE and Israel, with UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan calling it a "great breakthrough that will open new horizons for peace and stability" in the region.
UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr Anwar Gargash described as "encouraging" the reactions from main global capitals.
"The positive reactions from the main capitals to the tripartite declaration are encouraging, especially as it addressed... the danger of annexing the Palestinian territories to the chances of a two-state solution," Dr Gargash said in a tweet.

Oman on Friday said it backed the normalisation of ties between the UAE and Israel as the EU's executive on Friday said it would benefit both countries and help promote stability in the Middle East.

"It is important for both (countries) and for regional stability," a European Commission spokeswoman told a news briefing, according to Reuters.

"Both countries are our partners and of course... we are committed to a two-state solution and we are of course ready to work on a resumption of the negotiations between the Israelis and the Palestinians."

Italy said it is an important "step that will contribute to peace and stability in the Middle East."

UK Foreign Minister Dominic Raab said now was the "time for direct talks between the Palestinians and Israel, the only route to lasting peace".

The Japanese Foreign Ministry termed it is a positive development, and said the "suspension of the 'application of sovereignty' over the West Bank by the state of Israel is a step toward easing tensions and stabilising the region."

The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian welcomed "any measure that helps in easing tensions between Middle Eastern countries and promotes regional peace and stability".

He said Beijing would "continue to firmly support the Palestinian people's just cause of restoring their legitimate national rights and building national independence."

India's Ministry of External Affairs said: "India has consistently supported peace, stability and development in West Asia, which is its extended neighbourhood.

"India continues its traditional support for the Palestinian cause. We hope to see early resumption of direct negotiations to find an acceptable two-state solution."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, meanwhile, thanked the leaders of Egypt, Oman and Bahrain for their "support" of the agreement to normalise ties with the UAE.

"I thank Egyptian President Al Sisi, and the governments of Oman and Bahrain, for their support of the historic peace treaty between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, which is expanding the circle of peace and will be good for the entire region," Netanyahu tweeted.

Israel has two official peace treaties with Arab states - Egypt, since 1979, and Jordan, signed in 1994.

The Global Council for Tolerance and Peace said the agreement is a testament to the "bold diplomatic and sound vision of the UAE leadership in making this diplomatic breakthrough through which Israel will stop the annexation of Palestinian lands under the Trump Peace Plan."
reporters@khaleejtimes.com