EU members welcome Israel-UAE deal at the UN

European Union members of the U.N. Security Council – Belgium, Estonia, France, Germany, along with incoming members Ireland and Norway – have welcomed the recently signed diplomatic agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates.

Belgium's deputy U.N. ambassador, Karen van Vlierberge, briefed reporters ahead of a meeting of the U.N Security Council. She said Israel's commitment to suspend plans to unilaterally annex areas of the occupied Palestinian territory is a "positive step."

Earlier this month Israel signed historic diplomatic pacts with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain at the White House.

The bilateral agreements formalize the normalization of Israel's already thawing relations with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain in line with their common opposition to Iran.

"The two-state solution with Jerusalem as a future capital for both states is the only way to ensure sustainable peace and stability in the region," van Vlierberge said.

Israel and the U.S. hope the agreements can usher in a major shift in the region should other Arab nations, particularly Saudi Arabia, follow suit. That could have implications for Iran, Syria and Lebanon.

Until now, Israel has had peace deals only with Egypt and Jordan.

Other Arab countries believed to be close to recognizing Israel include Oman, Sudan and Morocco.

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