The foreign ministers of the United Arab Emirates, Greece, Cyprus and Israel will meet in Paphos, Cyprus, on Friday as part of efforts to bolster regional strategic interests.
The FMs would discuss economic and security issues, the coronavirus pandemic and possible travel corridors to encourage tourism.
Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades will meet the ministers on Saturday, the Israeli Foreign Ministry said in statement, noting that the two-day meeting is the first of its kind involving the four nations.
The UAE and Israel formalized ties last year, one of four deals the US brokered between Israel and Arab countries.
The talks also follow tensions between Turkey and its neighbors over gas exploration in the eastern Mediterranean.
Meanwhile, the 10-day “INIOCHOS 21” drill kicked off on April 12 at Andravida Air Base, Greece, as part of a wide-ranging cooperation to confront multiple wars and disasters.
It is an annual US-led air force exercise involving various countries such as Greece, Canada, Cyprus, Israel, Slovenia, Spain, France and the United Arab Emirates.
Exercises like INIOCHOS promote interoperability and help to strengthen interoperability of allied and partner air forces during joint operations and air defenses in order to maintain joint readiness.
