Jerusalem, Aug 25 (IANS): The Health Ministers of Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have agreed on immediate cooperation regarding healthcare, according to a joint statement.

On Monday, Israel's Yuli Edelstein and the UAE's Abdul Rahman Mohammed Al Owais "held an excellent conversation for both countries, in good spirits with the goal of advancing cooperation", Xinhua news agency quoted the statement as saying.

The Ministers agreed to appoint a representative responsible for relations between the two countries, specifically regarding the fight against Covid-19.

In addition, the countries will set up delegations of business people from the two countries in order to begin joint business ventures.

The Ministers also agreed that with the decline of Covid-19, the countries will also work to create a student exchange program.

"Peace with the UAE gives an excellent opportunity to the citizens of Israel and the UAE for close relations that will be fruitful for both sides," said Edelstein.

The development comes after Israel and the UAE on August 13 reached a historic agreement, brokered by the US, to work towards a "full normalization of relations".

As part of the agreement, Israel will suspend the annexation of Palestinian lands in the occupied West Bank, while it focuses on expanding ties with other Arab countries with other nations in the Muslim world.

The UAE and Israel will also immediately expand and accelerate cooperation regarding the treatment of and the development of a vaccine for coronavirus.

According to reports, this is the first peace treaty between Israel and an Arab country in 25 years.