Manama, Oct 18 (EFE).- Bahrain and Israel on Sunday formalized their diplomatic relations and signed several memorandums of understanding under the auspices of the United States after they established ties on 15 September.

In a ceremony held in Manama, Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Israeli National Security Advisor Meir Ben Shabbat and US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin signed the agreements along with seven memorandums of understanding.

During a presser that followed the signing ceremony, the Bahraini minister confirmed that the parties inked memorandums of understanding on joint cooperation in the political, diplomatic, commercial, economic, agricultural, air services, communication and information technology areas, as well as in the field of entry visas for diplomatic and private and service passport holders.

"We hope that this direct contact between officials in the two countries, sincere intentions and common desire will represent an opportunity to build normal and friendly relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the State of Israel," Al-Zayani said.

He expressed the kingdom's hope "that we are on the cusp of something of great importance for the region and its entire people."

For his part, Mnuchin stressed the importance of this step for stability in the region.

Mnuchin - who landed in Manama Sunday leading a US delegation, along with an Israeli delegation on the first direct flight between the two countries by Israel's El Al airline - said he hoped that his flight would be the first of many.

During the presser, the Israeli official said the visit was a "success."

"We were warmly received and we thank them for that. We are impatiently awaiting their visit to Israel," he said during a brief speech.

The memorandums came as part of the so-called Abraham Accords that both countries signed in the United States over a month ago - together with the United Arab Emirates - under the sponsorship of US President Donald Trump.

Bahrain became the fourth Arab country to establish diplomatic ties with Israel, following Egypt (1979), Jordan (1994) and the UAE on August.

EFE

bar-ta-cgs/ta-bpManama, Oct 18 (EFE).- Bahrain and Israel on Sunday formalized their diplomatic relations and signed several memorandums of understanding under the auspices of the United States after they established ties on 15 September.

In a ceremony held in Manama, Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Israeli National Security Advisor Meir Ben Shabbat and US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin signed the agreements along with seven memorandums of understanding.

During a presser that followed the signing ceremony, the Bahraini minister confirmed that the parties inked memorandums of understanding on joint cooperation in the political, diplomatic, commercial, economic, agricultural, air services, communication and information technology areas, as well as in the field of entry visas for diplomatic and private and service passport holders.

"We hope that this direct contact between officials in the two countries, sincere intentions and common desire will represent an opportunity to build normal and friendly relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the State of Israel," Al-Zayani said.

He expressed the kingdom's hope "that we are on the cusp of something of great importance for the region and its entire people."

For his part, Mnuchin stressed the importance of this step for stability in the region.

Mnuchin - who landed in Manama Sunday leading a US delegation, along with an Israeli delegation on the first direct flight between the two countries by Israel's El Al airline - said he hoped that his flight would be the first of many.

During the presser, the Israeli official said the visit was a "success."

"We were warmly received and we thank them for that. We are impatiently awaiting their visit to Israel," he said during a brief speech.

The memorandums came as part of the so-called Abraham Accords that both countries signed in the United States over a month ago - together with the United Arab Emirates - under the sponsorship of US President Donald Trump.

Bahrain became the fourth Arab country to establish diplomatic ties with Israel, following Egypt (1979), Jordan (1994) and the UAE on August.

EFE

bar-ta-cgs/ta-bp

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