Joint forum for economic cooperation: Union External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Israel Foreign Minister Yair during a quadrilateral meeting with UAE Foriegn Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and US secretary of State Anthony Blinken on October 19, 2021 agreed to establish a joint economic cooperation forum.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry issued a statement after the meeting saying that the ministers decided to establish an international forum for economic cooperation. The four ministers had held talks on possibilities for joint infrastructure projects in the fields of technology, transportation, trade, maritime security and economics.
It was decided after the meeting that each minister will appoint senior-level professionals to a joint working group that will form options for cooperation in the areas identified by the ministers. The ministers aim to hold an in-person meeting in the coming months at Expo 2020 in Dubai.
Fruitful meeting: EAM Jaishankar
Dr. S Jaishankar tweeted after the meeting, "A fruitful 1st meeting with Israeli APM & FM Yair Lapid, UAE FM Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan & US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Discussed working together more closely on economic growth and global issues. Agreed on expeditious follow-up."
"A fruitful 1st meeting with Israeli APM & FM Yair Lapid, UAE FM Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan & US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Discussed working together more closely on economic growth and global issues. Agreed on expeditious follow-up," tweets EAM Dr S Jaishankar pic.twitter.com/BVuZLa2OBO
— ANI (@ANI) October 18, 2021
In a brief statement, Dr S Jaishankar said "three of you are among the closest relationships we have, if not the closest". He further agreed with Secretary Blinken that this kind of a forum could work much better than three different bilateral engagements and emphasised that it would be helpful if they could agree on some practical things to work upon.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken tweeted saying, "Today, I met with Israeli Foreign Minister, Indian Foreign Minister and Emirati Foreign Minister about shared issues of concern in the region and globally, and the importance of expanding our economic and political collaboration."
Today, I met with Israeli Foreign Minister @yairlapid, Indian Foreign Minister @DrSJaishankar, and Emirati Foreign Minister @ABZayed about shared issues of concern in the region and globally, and the importance of expanding our economic and political collaboration. pic.twitter.com/imEIM1Cv5d
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) October 18, 2021
Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid who had initiated the meeting during his visit to Washington said, "I think the word we're looking for here is synergy, because this is what we're going to try and create starting with this meeting. Synergy that will help us work together on infrastructure, digital infrastructure, transport, maritime security and other things that preoccupy us all."
What was the agenda?
The Foreign Ministers and Secretary Blinken discussed expanding economic & political cooperation in the Middle East and Asia through trade, combating climate change, energy cooperation, and increasing maritime security.
The Ministers also discussed how to support global public health in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic and expand people to people ties in technology and science.
Secretary Blinken and the Ministers also discussed people to people ties in technology and science, and how to support global public health in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic: US Department of State Spokesperson Ned Price
— ANI (@ANI) October 18, 2021
The four ministers also held a discussion on possibilities for joint infrastructure projects in the fields of technology, transportation, maritime security, trade and economics and additional joint projects.
During the talks, Secretary Blinken reiterated Biden Administration’s support for the Abraham Accords and normalization agreements and discussed future opportunities for collaboration in the region and globally.
The Abraham Accords was signed by Israel, UAE and the US in August 2020 to normalise ties between Israel and the UAE. India had welcomed the agreement, saying it has always been a supporter of peace and stability in our extended neighbourhood.
Background
Union External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is currently on a five-day visit to Israel at the invitation of Israel's Alternate Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid.
During the visit, he held productive talks with Foreign Affairs Minister Yair Lapid that covered a wide range of regional and global issues.
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