Israel Matzav

Relations thaw with the Emirates?

Infrastructures Minister Uzi Landau (Yisrael Beiteinu) has become the first Israeli Minister to visit Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. Landau is attending a renewable energy conference in the Arab capital, whose opening session he will address on Sunday. This is from the first link.

The minister's visit is the result of a decision reached by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), according to which Israel is allowed to participate in all activities organized by the agency's headquarters in Abu Dhabi.

"IRENA was launched as a European initiative with the aim of promoting the production of electricity from renewable energy sources around the world," said Landau.

"Apart from the obvious diplomatic importance a visit by an Israeli minister to this region holds, Israel has a lot to contribute in terms of innovation and development."

According to Landau, "Israel wants to be a key player in the renewable energy field, and this conference is a unique opportunity to advance this goal.

"The fact that I was invited to this conference proves that true regional cooperation surrounding the common interest of developing renewable energy is possible," he said.

Landau's visit to Abu Dhabi is the first by an Israeli minister, but about three months ago two senior Israeli officials – Simona Halperin from the Foreign Ministry and Dr. Avraham Arbiv from the Ministry of National Infrastructures - attended a different IRENA conference in preparation for the minister's visit.

Israel does not maintain diplomatic relations with the UAE.

This meeting is no accident and it's not just because an international organization based in Abu Dhabi decided that it wanted Israel to participate in its activities. The UAE is often mentioned as one of the countries that most fears an Iranian nuclear weapon. The country's rulers have figured out which side of the slice of bread to butter. Hopefully, other Arab countries will follow.

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 12:10 PM