The agreement will in effect include Pfizer vaccines, used by both countries • Vaccines will be exempt from isolation, and will be able to enter places where the presentation of a green label is required
The capital of Bahrain, Manama
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Israel and Bahrain reached today (Thursday) the first agreement of its kind in the world on mutual recognition of vaccines.
Under the agreement, the two countries will formally and mutually recognize the other country's vaccine certificate.
However, recognition will be limited at this stage to vaccines given in both countries, namely Pfizer vaccines.
Negotiations between Israel and Bahrain have taken place in recent weeks and included talks between Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi and his Bahraini counterpart, Abd al-Latif al-Ziani.
Archive photo: GPO
Under the agreement, vaccinated people from both countries who have received the vaccine recognized in the other country - that is to say Pfizer vaccines - will be exempt from isolation when they arrive in the other country, and will be able to enter places where a "green mark" is required.
Regarding the Chinese vaccines that Bahrain uses and is not recognized in the country, it was agreed that an arrangement will be found later.
The Foreign Ministry says that the agreement will help promote the tourism, trade and economic ties built between the countries and will, when possible, make it possible for foreign citizens to enter Israel.
It was further agreed in the talks that the recognition process will be carried out digitally, and will significantly facilitate entry into the country.
Tonight, Minister Ashkenazi spoke with Al Ziani, congratulated him on the agreement and thanked him for the activities of the teams. According to Ashkenazi, "The precedent agreement between Israel and Bahrain indicates the historic change that has taken place in the Middle East in recent months. The whole world is following the ties between Israel and the peace countries. In the coming days we will reach similar agreements with other countries. I would like to thank all Foreign Ministry officials. The Ministry of Health met with the Bahraini teams and led to the success of the agreement. "