ABU DHABI — The United Arab Emirates and Egypt have welcomed Bahrain’s decision to normalize relations with Israel.

The agreement makes Bahrain the fourth Arab country, after Egypt, Jordan and the UAE, to have full diplomatic ties with Israel.

In a statement carried by the state news agency WAM on Friday, the UAE's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation commended the move, expressing its hope that establishing relations would have a positive effect on the climate for peace and cooperation regionally and internationally.

The UAE ministry also noted that the move represents a significant step towards an era of security and prosperity, underscoring that it would expand the scope of economic, cultural, scientific, and diplomatic avenues of cooperation.

The agreement makes Bahrain the fourth Arab country, after Egypt, Jordan and the UAE, to have full diplomatic ties with Israel.

Meanwhile, Egypt's President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi on Friday welcomed the Bahrain-Israel peace agreement.

"This is an important step that will increase stability and peace in the Middle East and help achieve a just solution for the Palestinians," Sisi said in a tweet on Friday.

President El-Sisi also made a phone call to King Hamad to congratulate him on declaring the establishment of diplomatic relations between Bahrain and Israel, the Bahrain News Agency reported.

El-Sisi expressed congratulations on the kingdom’s historical step which will advance the peace process and open prospects for stability in the Middle East.

King Hamad expressed the kingdom’s gratitude for the kind gesture and Egypt’s unflinching support to achieve peace and stability in the Middle East. — Agencies