TEHRAN (Tasnim) � Israel plans to open a diplomatic-level mission to the International Renewable Energy Agency in Abu Dhabi, the first openly established representative office in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Israeli diplomats said on Friday.

The office will not be a full mission, but will consist of a diplomat assigned to the renewable energy agency. Nevertheless, it will be the first time an Israeli foreign ministry official is permanently stationed in the Persian Gulf state.

Israeli foreign ministry spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon confirmed details first reported in daily Haaretz and three diplomatic officials told Reuters the move was underway.

A spokesperson for IRENA could not be reached for comment.

Israel does not have formal diplomatic ties with most states in the Middle East because of the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Its only formal relations are with neighbors Egypt and Jordan.

By Tasnim