DOHA — The United Arab Emirates (UAE) president held talks in Qatar on Monday on the primary such go to since Saudi Arabia and three allies ended a boycott of Doha practically two years in the past, lauding Doha’s internet hosting of the World Cup as a “success” for all Arabs.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, UAE de facto ruler for years earlier than turning into president in May, met with Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani on the transient go to earlier than returning to Abu Dhabi the place he is because of meet Israel’s president.
This “is another step towards strengthening Gulf solidarity and joint action,” Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the Emirati president, stated on Twitter.
Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt early final yr ended a 3-1/2 yr embargo of Qatar, however ties between Doha and Abu Dhabi had not warmed on the identical tempo as these with Riyadh and Cairo, which re-established diplomatic ties with Doha.
Saudi Arabia’s crown prince and Egypt’s president attended the opening World Cup ceremony in Doha on Nov. 20 whereas the UAE despatched Dubai’s ruler, who can also be the Gulf state’s vice-president.
Sheikh Mohammed stated Doha’s internet hosting of the match, the primary held within the Middle East, was “a success and honor for all” Gulf states and wider Arab world, UAE state media reported.
The political dispute that had seen Riyadh and its allies sever all ties with Qatar—over its assist for Islamist teams they deem a risk to Gulf dynastic rule and its ties with rivals Iran and Turkey—had shattered the six-nation Gulf bloc.
Saudi Arabia and the UAE have since moved to have interaction with Shi’ite Muslim Iran in a bid to include tensions and mend ties with Turkey as they give attention to financial growth.
The UAE’s nationwide safety adviser had visited Doha twice as a part of Abu Dhabi’s push to handle regional variations.
Bahrain and Qatar have but to carry bilateral talks. Abu Dhabi, like Manama, has not appointed an envoy to Doha, however restored journey and commerce hyperlinks with Qatar.
This allowed the UAE to profit from an inflow of soccer followers beneath partnerships by Doha for every day shuttle flights with neighboring cities for the World Cup.
Sheikh Mohammed is because of meet Israeli President Isaac Herzog who landed in Abu Dhabi on Monday after visiting Bahrain, which together with the UAE cast ties with Israel in 2020. — Reuters
