The Abraham Accords, as the agreements became known, are likely to
strengthen economic integration in the region and foster wider
cooperation ...
Experts and researchers stressed that the Abraham Peace Accords changed the course of the entire Middle East, proved their effectiveness and the sound foresight of the governments that signed them. The signatory states wanted to draw a brighter future for this important region of the world, by upholding the values of cooperation, dialogue and partnership as a basis for achieving the desired peace and prosperity for all countries and peoples of the region.
This came during a panel
discussion organized by TRENDS Research and Advisory at its headquarters in Abu
Dhabi, on the occasion of the third anniversary of the signing of the Abraham
Accords, which discussed their impact and the prospects for the desired peace
agreements.
Participants in the symposium explained
that the important results of the past three years of the Abraham Accords make
us feel optimistic that they will ultimately lead to the building of a stable
and prosperous Middle East, which is the strategic goal of these agreements.
They stressed the significance of recognizing people-to-people ties, which form
the basis for future cooperation among signatory countries.
A Bright Future
The seminar began with remarks by
Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS, who welcomed the audience and
participants. He stressed that the Abraham Peace Accords proved their
effectiveness as well as the sound foresight of the governments that signed
them. He indicated that the accords ushered a brighter future for this
important region of the world, by upholding the values of cooperation, dialogue
and partnership as a basis for achieving the desired peace and prosperity for
all countries and peoples of the region.
He added that today, three years
after the signing of the Abraham Accords, we are reaping the fruits of this new
approach of cooperation and partnership, whether in terms of increasing the
volume of economic cooperation and joint trade among the countries of the
region, or in terms of exchanging experiences and investments, especially in
the fields of technology and energy.
Dr. Al-Ali concluded by saying
that while we recognize that there are challenges facing the future of regional
cooperation, which was laid by these Abraham Accords, the important results
they produced make us optimistic that they will ultimately lead to the building
of a stable and prosperous Middle East, which is the strategic goal of these
agreements.
Recognize the importance of people-to-people bonds
Ms. Alyazia AlHosani, Director of
the Media Communication Office at TRENDS, stressed in an her remarks entitled
"Peoples-to- peoples ties as a basis for future cooperation between the
signatories to the Abraham Accords" that the Accords are essentially more
than just a set of diplomatic agreements; they symbolize the meeting of
countries separated by political divisions for a long time, thus bearing the
burden of centuries of history and conflict and looking forward to a better future.
She said that diplomacy alone is
not a guarantee of the sustainability of the success of the Abraham Accords.
She indicated that the significance of recognizing the links between youth-led initiatives,
facilitated by social media. She stressed that such ties represent the basis
for future cooperation between the signatory countries.
She stressed the role of cultural
diplomacy and the role of social media in helping to deal with the human aspect
of "others" and promote mutual understanding in a manner that was
never imagined before.
Strategic Turning Point
Dr. Hamad Ebrahim Al-Abdulla,
Executive Director of the Bahrain Center for International Strategic and Energy
Studies (Derasat), explained in his remarks entitled "Consolidating Peace
and Regional Cooperation: What next?", that the signing of the Abraham
Accords marked a strategic turning point in the Middle East, a region that has
suffered, for decades, conflicts with ideological roots and dimensions. The
main objective of signing those conventions was to promote the values of
tolerance and coexistence.
He indicated that the Arab Gulf states
play a key role in achieving regional security and stability by supporting
multilateral cooperation. Dr. Hamad said that the Abraham Accords provided an
important framework for this cooperation.
Despite the importance of
multilateral cooperation among the signatories to the Abraham Accords, it is
quite necessary to resolve regional conflicts, chief among them is the
Palestinian issue. This would help achieve stability and peace and prevent
exploitation of the issue by extremist groups to incite hatred and violence.
Seizing opportunities
Ambassador (Ret.) Mark J.
Sievers, Director of the American Jewish Committee, delivered his remarks entitled
"The Impact of the Abraham Accords on the Culture of Tolerance and
Coexistence in the Region", in which he stressed that the Abraham Accords
changed the face of the region and we are proud of what they have achieved so
far. Three years on, we continue to move towards greater achievements.
Regional conflicts were not over,
but were still ongoing, and we must take advantage of the opportunities offered
by the Abraham Accords.
The Abraham Accords provide a
useful framework for advancing relations between the peoples of the region,
which are rooted in the historical interdependence between Arabs and Jews in
the Middle East. He explained that the United States has played a crucial role
in promoting regional peace agreements over the years. The peoples of the
Middle East, including Israel, must now assume the responsibility of
establishing and strengthening ties among themselves to achieve their own
interests.
Trade and investment promotion
The seminar was presented by Dr.
Serhat Suha Cubukcuoglu, a researcher in strategic affairs at TRENDS, who
pointed out that the Abraham Accords provided a range of opportunities that
help achieve regional integration and promote relations between the signatory
countries.
The Accords helped promote trade,
investment and infrastructure linkages at the bilateral level, promoted mutual
economic growth and development and enhanced opportunities for broadening
people-to-people ties, he said.
The Abraham Accords aimed at
creating a positive cumulative impact that would lead to an end to a
long-standing conflict on identity between peoples. This aspect calls for the
need for rapprochement, redefining the region landscape and strengthen its
shared concerns.
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