TEL AVIV — Bahrain and Israel have agreed to start operating commercial flights and initiate procedures to open embassies based on the memorandum of understanding concluded between the two countries for cooperation in the field of air services. Starting from the beginning of 2021, 14 weekly flights will operate between Bahrain and Tel Aviv, as well as other airports including Eilat and Haifa airports. Five weekly cargo flights will also operate on the route, said Bahrain"s Foreign Minister Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani. The steps were announced during the trilateral session of talks which was held in Tel Aviv, in the presence of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Foreign Minister Al-Zayani, US State Secretary Mike Pompeo, and Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi, the Bahrain News Agency reported. The talks focused on discussing areas of joint cooperation and the Bahraini-Israeli MoU signed in Manama recently in light of the declaration supporting peace and Abraham Accords, said the report. Al-Zayani thanked the Israeli Government for inviting and receiving the Bahraini delegation as well as its condolences on the passing of late Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al-Khalifa. “The joint talks will contribute to developing cooperation between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the State of Israel in the areas of trade and investment, emerging projects, the banking sector, health, education, communication, technology, and innovation,” he said, adding that both countries have done intensive work to open embassies and finalize the joint visa system, according to the applicable regulations. The foreign minister stressed the importance of these steps in developing cooperation between the two countries in the fields of tourism and trade. Undersecretary for Civil Aviation Affairs at the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications Mohammed Thamer Al-Kaabi said the signing of the MoU for cooperation in the field of air services will contribute to building a successful economic partnership between the two countries. “Bahrain views cooperation with Israel in the field of civil aviation with great interest, given the comprehensive infrastructure that the two countries have in terms of a comprehensive infrastructure, a modern air transport fleet, and trained and qualified cadres,” he said. He underlined the advanced level Bahrain and Israel have reached in terms of the security and safety of civil aviation and environmental protection for this important sector, which has become of interest to the international community. He underscored the crucial importance of this vital industry, especially in light of the global economic conditions and challenges that the world is witnessing. — SG