The historic 41st GCC summit, hosted by Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, has proven to be a breakthrough in the three years long regional crisis during which Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain as well as Egypt imposed a land, sea and air embargo on Qatar. The Al-Ula summit has brought détente not only in the Qatar-Saudi ties but it promises the end of the crisis and full restoration of diplomatic ties between the quartet and Doha.
Qatar’s Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani was accorded a warm welcome by Saudi Crown Prince HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, who also took his guest on a tour of historical sites in Al-Ula region. The breakthrough was achieved through continues mediatory efforts made by Kuwait as well as the US. The UN, Arab League, the European Union, the US, and several regional countries including Turkey, Pakistan, Jordan, Iraq, Sudan and Morocco have welcomed the development.
At the Al-Ula summit, the leaders affirmed the noble objectives of the GCC, to realise cooperation, interconnectedness and integration among the member states in all domains. The bloc also envisages regional unity, and working as one political and economic group to contribute to realising security, peace, stability and prosperity in the region.
Saudi Foreign Minister H H Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud said the Al-Ula summit — named Sultan Qaboos and Sheikh Sabah Summit — will restore full diplomatic ties between the GCC members and Egypt. Terming the summit a ‘new page’ in achieving security and stability in the region, he said the member states affirmed their solidarity in not infringing any member state’s sovereignty or threatening their security, or targeting the national cohesion of their peoples and their social fabric in any way. The top Saudi diplomat said the member states also affirmed their solidarity against direct or indirect intervention in internal affairs of any member country.
The State of Qatar welcomed the declaration issued after the Al-Ula summit, saying Doha shared the vision and objective of strengthening the bonds of friendship and brotherhood between the peoples of the region, and the principle of good neighbourliness and mutual respect.
Qatar said Al-Ula Declaration complements the sincere and dedicated efforts led by Kuwait’s late Amir Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, which were continued by H H the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, praising at the same time the efforts exerted by the US in convergence of views.
