Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation on Tuesday received in Abu Dhabi on his first official visit to the country.
They discussed “the importance of building on the Abraham Accords to achieve peace and to strengthen regional security and stability”, Wam reported.
An agreement for economic and commercial co-operation between the two countries was also signed by the two ministers.
Present were Ali Al Neyadi, chairman of the Federal Customs Authority, Khalid Balhoul, under-secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Mohammed Al Khaja, UAE Ambassador to Israel, and a number of Emirati and Israeli officials.
The visit “will open wider horizons for the development of relations between the two countries in all fields, in a way that will serve their common interests and benefit their peoples”, Sheikh Abdullah said, according to Wam.
On Tuesday, Mr Lapid also opened the country’s embassy in Abu Dhabi during the first official visit by a senior minister since relations were established last year with the UAE.
Israel wants peace with its neighbours in the region, Mr Lapid said.
“We are standing here today because we chose peace over war,” Mr Lapid said during the opening ceremony with Minister of Youth and Culture Noura Al Kaabi.
“Israel wants peace with its neighbours, with all its neighbours – we aren’t going anywhere. The Middle East is our home, we’re here to stay,” he said.
“We call on all the countries of the region to recognise that. And to come talk to us.”