UAE and Qatar to restore diplomatic ties and reopen embassies

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – The United Arab Emirates and Qatar are moving toward resuming diplomatic ties and reopening each other’s embassies, just over two years after lifting the blockade on Qatar that has disrupted both countries’ and wider political tensions. Not with the Bay Area.

Qatar’s international media office told CNBC in a statement: “The Qatari and UAE teams are working hard to reopen their respective embassies as soon as possible, with dates to be announced once the process is complete.”

A deal to end the three-and-a-half-year political and economic blockade of Qatar by Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain was reached in January 2021, with countries vowing to Restore relations for the benefit of the region.

The UAE expressed similar goals in a statement from government officials.

“The UAE’s foreign policy is mainly focused on building bridges, economic cooperation and regional de-escalation. Since the signing of the Ula Declaration in January 2021, the UAE has resumed relations with the State of Qatar, with numerous visits between the two countries including discussions Further develop the relationship and work together to achieve greater shared prosperity and progress for both countries and the wider region,” the statement said.

“Currently, the two countries are in the process of activating diplomatic relations, including reopening their embassies.”

The Western-aligned Gulf Cooperation Council member was thrown into turmoil in 2017 when Saudi Arabia and its allies severed diplomatic and trade ties with Qatar, accusing the small gas-rich country of being too close to Iran and supporting Islamic terrorism. Doha has denied the allegations.

Since the end of the lockdown, travel and trade between the states has resumed, especially during the 2022 FIFA World Cup with many flights to and from Qatar; many of them as A special shuttle program with Dubai.

Still, the fact that talk of embassy reopening is only now happening “is another reminder of the real pace at which ties are being re-established in the Gulf, within the GCC and, of course, the wider region,” said Kay Kay, a senior fellow at the institute. Karen Young, Middle East Institute, wrote on Twitter. “The Al Ula agreement was reached more than 2 years ago and efforts are still being made to reopen the embassy.”

Anna Jacobs, a senior Gulf analyst at the International Crisis Group, said the developments were not surprising and “come after a long period of high-level dialogue and visits between the two countries”.

“The resumption of relations between Qatar and the UAE means that all the former blockade countries (Saudi Arabia, Egypt, UAE and Bahrain) have finally fully restored diplomatic relations with Qatar (or announced their intention to do so). This is positive for GCC unity, even if Tension/rivalry (between) them remains a major reality,” Jacobs wrote in a series of Twitter posts.

Apparent push for diplomatic normalization amid broader regional reconciliation efforts; old enemy Iran and Saudi Arabia agree to restore ties Both countries will reopen their embassies in March as part of a deal brokered by Beijing.