Regulations restricting the land, air and sea borders between Saudi Arabia and Qatar are set to ease following a three-year-long diplomatic rift between the GCC nations.
The announcement was made by Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Ahmad Nasser Al-Sabah, on the eve of a summit of Gulf leaders at the 41st Gulf Cooperation Council summit in Saudi Arabia.
As reported by Arabian Business, the Secretary-General of the GCC, Dr. Nayef Al-Hajra, said that “the reopening of the Saudi-Qatari borders on the eve of the 41st GCC Summit in Al-Ula Governorate, Saudi Arabia, sends upbeat message on the sincere efforts to ensure complete success for the summit.”
In a symbolic move Qatari ruler, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad is expected to now attend the summit along with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. According to a statement published by Saudi Arabia’s state news agency, the Saudi’s de facto ruler hopes the summit will help bring the Gulf states closer together, creating “reunification and solidarity to face the challenges that our region witnesses.”
UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash echoed the prince, saying on Twitter that Tuesday’s summit would “bring back Gulf cohesion,” prioritising the region’s security, stability and prosperity.
In what has been a period of heightened tension, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt joined Saudi Arabia in boycotting Qatar since 2017.