Israel after expanded cooperation with Persian Gulf Arabs
Tehran (KNA) - Israeli Intelligence and Transport Minister Yisrael Katz has called for stronger relations with the Persian Gulf Arab states in civilian sectors such as aviation security, transportation, commercial aviation and tourism.
"In my view cooperation between Israel and the (Persian) Gulf states can and should be expanded," said Katz, speaking to Reuters on Thursday.
The intelligence official described recent public visits by Israeli ministers to the Persian Gulf as "part of a wider trend of strengthening ties between Israel and the Gulf countries based on common interests and a mutual recognition of the potential benefits for both sides, both in terms of contending with common challenges and threats as well as opportunities."
Katz visited the Omani capital, Muscat, earlier this week to attend a transportation conference, reportedly seeking to propose a railway linking Israel's access to the Mediterranean Sea to the Persian Gulf.
The event was preceded by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's surprise arrival in the country two weeks earlier. Netanyahu met with Oman's ruler Sultan Qaboos bin Said al-Said. Israeli Culture and Sports Minister Miri Regev also traveled to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to accompany Israel's judo team on the very same day.
Source: PressTV