Dubai, United Arab Emirates (CNN)— US President Joe Biden welcomed the decision of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to open its airspace to flights heading or coming from Israel.
Below is the full text of Biden’s statement:
The historic decision of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to open its airspace to all civil aircraft, including those flying to and from Israel, is an important step towards building a more integrated and stable Middle East region.
While this opening has long been debated, now, thanks to months of steady diplomacy between my administration and Saudi Arabia, it has finally become a reality. Today, I will be the first president of the United States to fly from Israel to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
As we celebrate this important moment, Saudi Arabia’s decision can help build momentum towards Israel’s further integration into the region, including with Saudi Arabia. I will do everything I can, through direct diplomacy and engagement between leaders, to continue to advance this ground-breaking process.