Qatar, UAE resume diplomatic relations, reopen embassies

Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have resumed relations after a six-year break, reopening their respective embassies.

The two countries said in statements on Monday the Qatari Embassy in Abu Dhabi and a consulate in Dubai, as well as the UAE Embassy in Doha had resumed operations.

The Qatari Foreign Ministry said the restoration of ties “represents the will of both countries’ leaders to strengthen joint Arab collaboration and achieve the aspirations of both peoples.”

The UAE’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and his Qatari counterpart Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani spoke on the phone to congratulate one another on the reopening of the diplomatic missions.

The diplomats hailed the resumption of relations as heralding a “new stage of cooperation and partnership,” according to a statement on Emirates News Agency (WAM).

In 2017, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Bahrain cut all ties with Qatar and enforced a boycott following disagreements over foreign policy and regional influence.

The boycott was officially lifted in January 2021. Saudi Arabia and Egypt were the first to reappoint ambassadors to Doha in 2021 after a Saudi-led deal to end the feud.

Relations between Qatar and the UAE have improved since February 2022, when Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani met with the UAE ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on the sidelines of an event in Beijing for the first time since the blockade ended.

The restoration of ties comes amid a flurry of diplomatic activity across the Persian Gulf region as countries engage in dialogue to enhance relations.

MG