US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visited the UAE on Wednesday as he called for Gulf unity on issues such as Iran’s influence in the region and the normalisation of relations with Israel.
Mr Pompeo’s visit followed the announcement of a historic US-brokered peace accord between the UAE and Israel on August 13.
The US is hopeful other Arab nations will follow with agreements such as the Abraham Accord, and last week UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr Anwar Gargash said more nations were on a path to normalising relations.
"Excited to arrive in the United Arab Emirates and congratulate the Emirati people on the historic Abraham Accords – the most significant step toward peace in the Middle East in over 25 years,” Mr Pompeo wrote on Twitter.
“Hopeful we will build on this momentum towards regional peace.”
Excited to arrive in the United Arab Emirates and congratulate the Emirati people on the historic Abraham Accords– the most significant step toward peace in the Middle East in over 25 years. Hopeful we will build on this momentum towards regional peace. pic.twitter.com/WdICQ9V8kN
— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) August 26, 2020
National Security Adviser Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed received Mr Pompeo in Abu Dhabi, along with Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation.
The three officials discussed co-operation between their countries, the coronavirus pandemic and the Abraham Accord, Wam reported.
The visit came a day after a phone call between Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAe Armed Forces, and Mr Pompeo, in which they discussed strategic relations between the two countries.
The pair also reviewed ways to enhance ties at all levels.
During the call, they spoke of regional and international issues of mutual interest, including the Abraham Accord and the prospects for strengthening it in a way that serves the foundations of peace and stability in the region.
Mr Pompeo visited Jerusalem, Sudan and Bahrain before travelling to the UAE, then flying back to Bahrain.
In Bahrain, he discussed regional stability and Gulf unity with Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, who said he welcomed US efforts towards the Israel-UAE accord.
Prince Salman stressed "the importance of redoubling efforts to realise a just solution that utilises peace as a strategic option to end the Palestinian-Israeli conflict", state news agency BNA reported.
Mr Pompeo also met King Hamad, Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al Zayani and Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the king's son, who was appointed National Security Adviser in October.
The king and Mr Pompeo discussed developing relations, with the monarch stressing the importance of intensifying efforts to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, BNA reported.
Bahrain welcomed the UAE-Israel accord soon after it was announced and said it raised the chances of peace.
"We discussed the importance of building regional peace and stability, including the importance of Gulf unity and countering Iran's malign influence in the region," Mr Pompeo wrote on Twitter after meeting Prince Salman.
