Liz Truss and Sir Keir Starmer have joined the foreign ministers of Israel, UAE, Bahrain and Morocco to call for more Arab countries to join the Abraham Accords.

The two party leaders put aside their political differences on the second anniversary of the historic agreement to send out strong messages hailing the success of the Accords and calling for further cooperation.

The Prime Minister said: “The UK is proud to be a steadfast supporter of the historic Abraham Accords, one of the greatest success stories in the Middle East for a generation.

"The introduction of direct flights has led to people-to-people links, ensuring the Accords mature into deep and abiding friendships between different societies and cultures.

“And the Accords have also facilitated increased cooperation on sustainability to address mutual climate changes challenges. Security remains a key foundational element underpinning the Accords.”

Liz Truss GettyImages-1340664868

Liz Truss

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer added that he welcomed the “deepening” diplomatic relationships between countries where collaboration and cooperation were once “unthinkable”.

He said: “The Accords marks a diplomatic breakthrough in the Middle East and are undoubtably a victory for diplomacy over conflict and an example for the rest of the world to follow.

“Over the past two years they have produced new economic opportunities, new investment and have encouraged innovation and collaboration where previously there was none. They have provided opportunities for cultural exchange and allowed industries and companies to work closely together to develop new medicines, research and technology.”

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Sir Keir Starmer (Getty Images)

In the heartfelt comments published by the European Leadership Network (ELNET), the pair urged other leaders to support the Accords in a global drive for peace and greater economic and cultural harmony in the Middle East.

Signed two years ago, the Abraham Accords resulted in normalising relations between Israel and three Arab countries: Morocco, the UAE and Bahrain. Their historic agreement emerged from a perception that Israel and the Arab region face a common threat from Iran.

Following the accords’ signing, Israel, the UAE and Bahrain have been engaged in a wide range of discussions of mutual security needs, including protection from Iranian military drones that Tehran has so far deployed in Yemen and Iraq.

Foreign ministers from Israel, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco also wrote messages of support for the agreement.

Today we welcome with open arms the Foreign Minister of the UAE, HH Sheikh @ABZayed. We are delighted to celebrate His Highness's visit to Israel, two years after the signing of the historic Abraham Accords. 🇮🇱🇦🇪 pic.twitter.com/47ZRMbOnjj

— יצחק הרצוג Isaac Herzog (@Isaac_Herzog) September 15, 2022

Israel’s deputy foreign minister, Idan Rolls, said: “The signing of the normalisation agreement with the UAE and Bahrain and then the establishment of full diplomatic relations with Morocco marked a watershed moment for the Middle East that ultimately came to represent the beginning of a new chapter for the region.

“Our next challenge is to weave relations between our peoples. We need to get to know one another and learn about each other’s traditions and history.

“Individuals throughout the region should be able to see the positive impact of peace, (such as) access to better education, culture and quality of life.

“At this two-year mark, we encourage our partners beyond the region, such as the US, Europe and elsewhere to support the projects that promote these values and bring people together.“

UAE’s minister of foreign affairs, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan said the Accords marked “an important step” towards achieving peace in the Middle East and enhanced cooperation between his country and Israel.

He said: “The Accords have also been central to regional efforts to unlock the potential of Arab youth and strengthen a shared pursuit of prosperity and development.

“The region’s peoples have already begun to reap the political and economic advantages of the accords. At the start of 2022, trade between our nations has grown by 500 per cent compared to Q1 2021 with non-oil bilateral trade amounting to more than £2 billion from September 2020 to March 2022.”

Bahrain’s foreign affairs minister, Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, described the Accords as “a beacon of hope for the entire region and an opportunity for a more peaceful and stable Middle East in which all its peoples thrive and prosper together.”

And Morocco’s foreign affairs minister, Nassur Bourita, said: “On the second anniversary of the Abraham Accords, Morocco looks forward to further opportunities that will strengthen our commitments and continue our journey together towards greater understanding and close the friendship for the benefit of all.”