Diplomatic relations have been restored between Qatar and the four Arab states that imposed a blockade against the country for three years, agreeing to reopen borders including airspace.
This development in the Gulf crisis came after the 41st session of the GCC Summit in Al Ula in Saudi Arabia which was attended by HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. All four countries – Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Egypt – have agreed to restore ties with Qatar according to Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud. Addressing the media after the Gulf Summit, the Saudi Foreign Minister said:
What happened today at the summit was a complete folding of the dispute with Qatar and a complete return to diplomatic relations. Agreement restores full diplomatic relations between Qatar and the four nations. Extremely pleased that all outstanding issues will go back to normal.
Minister Farhan Al Saud said that there were political will and good faith to guarantee the implementation of the agreement to restore diplomatic and other ties.
Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Nayef Falah al-Hajraf also attended the joint news conference.
Following the summit, HH The Amir Sheikh Tamim thanked the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the generous welcome and the State of Kuwait for its valued efforts. He also expressed his hopes for a better future for the region.
استشعارا بالمسؤولية التاريخية في هذه اللحظة الفارقة من مسيرة مجلس التعاون وتلبية لآمال شعوبنا، شاركت إلى جانب الأشقاء في قمة العلا لرأب الصدع وكلنا أمل بمستقبل أفضل للمنطقة. أشكر الأشقاء في المملكة العربية السعودية على كرم الاستقبال وأشكر دولة الكويت الشقيقة على جهودها المقدرة.
— تميم بن حمد (@TamimBinHamad) January 5, 2021
Related news: https://marhaba.qa/gcc-leaders-sign-al-ula-solidarity-agreement-to-end-gulf-crisis/