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Israeli, UAE health ministers discuss COVID-19 cooperation

“I was impressed by the potential for exceptional cooperation for the benefit of our countries,” says Israeli Health Minister Yuli Edelstein.

Israeli Health Minister Yuli Edelstein holds a press conference during a visit at the Assuta hospital in Ashdod on Aug. 20, 2020. Photo by Flash90.
Israeli Health Minister Yuli Edelstein holds a press conference during a visit at the Assuta hospital in Ashdod on Aug. 20, 2020. Photo by Flash90.

Israeli Health Minister Yuli Edelstein and his United Arab Emirates counterpart, Abdul Rahman Mohammed Al Owais, spoke by phone on Monday and agreed on cooperation between their two countries with regard to the coronavirus pandemic and other health-related matters.

“I am proud to announce the commencement of cooperation between myself and the Minister of Health and Protection of the United Arab Emirates, Abdul Rahman ibn Mohammed Al Oweis,” tweeted Edelstein.

He said he had been impressed during the discussion by the potential for cooperation between the two countries.

“In our conversation this morning, we agreed to appoint focal points for strengthening the cooperation between our countries, especially regarding the fight against COVID-19. In the near future, we will convene joint delegations of businesspeople. I was impressed by the potential for exceptional cooperation for the benefit of our countries.”

Israel and the UAE agreed this month to normalize diplomatic relations as part of a U.S.-sponsored deal, making the UAE the third Arab country in 26 years to have formal diplomatic ties with Israel after Egypt (1979) and Jordan (1994).

The trip comes as tourism from the United States began to pick up this summer, just ahead of next month’s resumption of direct flights to Tel Aviv by two major U.S. airlines.
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