It has been announced that the UAE will reopen its borders with Qatar.
According to WAM, the UAE’s state news agency, air, land and seaports with Qatar will open tomorrow, Saturday, January 9, 2021.
It was stated by His Excellency Khalid Abdullah Belhoul, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, that the “UAE will begin to end all measures taken against the State of Qatar according to the statement issued on June 5, 2017”.
#عاجل_وام #الإمارات تعلن إعادة فتح كافة المنافذ البرية والبحرية والجوية مع #قطر اعتباراً من الغد. pic.twitter.com/uFj8LpTWhU
— وكالة أنباء الإمارات (@wamnews) January 8, 2021
His Excellency also stated the nation would continue to work with Qatar to “end all other outstanding issues through bilateral talks”.
The reopening air, land and sea pathways comes after the signing of the Al-Ula Agreement.
Earlier this week, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, flew to Saudi Arabia to meet with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, the Crown Prince of Bahrain Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa and Oman’s Deputy Prime Minister Fahad Al Said.
The Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani was also in attendance – the first time he attended a summit since 2017.
All of the leaders and heads of delegations of the GCC signed the Final Communique and Al-Ula Declaration, which is a “renewal of faith in the progress of countries of the GCC”, Sheikh Mohammed said of the meeting.
محمد بن راشد: في ١٩٨١ .. قبل أربعين عاماً من اليوم استضاف والدنا ومؤسس دولتنا الشيخ زايد أول قمة في أبوظبي مع إخوانه قادة دول المجلس رحمهم الله جميعاً … مسيرة التعاون هو إرث هؤلاء القادة لشعوبهم .. واليوم تتعزز المسيرة .. وتترسخ الأخوة .. وتتجدد روح التعاون لمصلحة شعوبنا . pic.twitter.com/fHM9aI9S2j
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) January 5, 2021
Sheikh Mohammed added that there is a renewed “optimism that the coming years will bring stability and security and achievements that serve our people… and contributes to the stability of those around us”.
Meanwhile, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman also reiterated a similar sentiment on behalf of Saudi Arabia.
“This affirms the importance of the solidarity and stability in the Gulf, Arab and Islamic countries and strengthens the bonds of friendship and brotherhood among our countries and peoples in order to serve their aspirations,” he said, as per the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s firm and continuous policy, future plans, and ambitious development vision (the Kingdom Vision 2030) prioritises a unified and solid Gulf Cooperation Council.”
Feature image: Sara Shakheel Instagram