Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are working to reestablish diplomatic relations and reopen their embassies.
According to two officials. This development comes more than two years after several Arab states ceased their boycott of Doha, which had fractured the Western-allied Gulf Arab bloc.
Both countries are in the process of reactivating diplomatic ties, which includes the reopening of embassies, as confirmed by a UAE official. A Gulf official has indicated that the embassies are expected to reopen with new ambassadors appointed by mid-June. Furthermore, a third source has stated that full diplomatic relations will be restored within weeks.
This restoration of diplomatic ties is occurring alongside a broader push for regional reconciliation, exemplified by Iran and Saudi Arabia’s agreement last month to reestablish relations after years of animosity. This tension threatened stability in the Gulf and exacerbated the conflict in Yemen.
In 2017, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, and Egypt severed all ties with Qatar, accusing the country of supporting terrorism and fostering close ties with Iran – claims that Doha has denied. However, after a Saudi-led agreement to end the dispute, Riyadh and Cairo were the first to reinstate their ambassadors to Doha in 2021, followed by Bahrain’s announcement last week to restore diplomatic ties.
Except for Bahrain, all nations had already resumed trade and travel connections with Qatar in early 2021, while the UAE had suggested that the resumption of diplomatic ties would take longer. However, relations between the UAE and Qatar have improved over the past year, with leaders from both countries meeting in person.
According to a UAE official, the country’s foreign policy primarily focuses on fostering economic cooperation, building bridges, and promoting regional de-escalation. Another Gulf official stated that Qatari and Emirati officials agreed to restore diplomatic ties late last month, with Abu Dhabi informing Doha of its appointed envoy. However, Qatar has yet to reciprocate.
