UAE Ambassador Mohamed Al Khaja presents credentials to Israeli President Rivlin

The first ambassador of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Israel Mohammad Mahmoud Al Khaja arrived in Tel Aviv on Monday to submit his diplomatic credentials to President Reuven Rivlin, Emirati news agency WAM reported.

A month ago, Al Khaja was sworn in as the UAE's first appointed ambassador to Israel, after the two countries normalized their relations last September.

"The UAE and the State of Israel have collaborated on scientific research to combat COVID-19, and our two countries have become global leaders in vaccinating against COVID-19. We continue to learn from each other and share this knowledge with the world. This is what peace brings. Today, the United Arab Emirates and the State of Israel stand together in saving lives, containing the pandemic on the one hand, and safely opening our two countries' economies on the other hand," said Al Khaja.

The recipient of Al Khaja's credentials Rivlin took to Twitter acknowledging the need to advance Israelis and Emiratis and the whole Middle East towards cooperation, mutual respect, prosperity and peace.

Al Khaja also met with Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi on Monday and discussed ways to enhance cooperation in various fields and on growing bilateral relations since the signing of the Abraham Accords, according to the Emirati ambassador's tweet.

Israel had appointed Eitan Na'eh, its former ambassador to Turkey, as the country's temporary ambassador to the United Arab Emirates until a permanent envoy is assigned. Israel and the UAE have already vouched on direct flights and visa-free travel, which has been delayed due to the pandemic, along with agreements on investment protection, science and technology.

In 2020, the UAE, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco announced the Abraham Accords with Israel, following Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1994.