Qatar, UAE reopen embassies on Monday

By Hussameldin Mohamed

ISTANBUL (AA) – Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have agreed to restore their diplomatic representation and reopen embassies as of Monday.

In a joint statement, the two Gulf neighbors said the Qatari Embassy in Abu Dhabi, consulate in Dubai and the UAE Embassy in Doha will resume work on June 19.

“This step comes as an embodiment of the will of the leaderships of the two countries, and in the consolidation of the march of joint Arab action, to achieve the aspirations of the two brotherly peoples,” the statement said.

The UAE, along with Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt, severed diplomatic relations with Qatar in 2017. But in 2021, the four countries signed a reconciliation agreement with Doha to heal their rift.

Meanwhile, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman received a phone call from UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed during which they congratulated each other on the restoration of diplomatic representation between the two countries, the Qatari state news agency QNA reported.

The two officials also discussed bilateral relations and ways of enhancing their cooperation in various fields, QNA said.

*Writing by Ikram Kouachi