Restoration of diplomatic ties with Qatar

Restoration of diplomatic ties with Qatar

- Nazar Musa

According to international media sources, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt have agreed to fully restore ties with neighbouring Qatar with the signing of the Al-Ula Declaration.

The Al-Ula Declaration, signed on Tuesday 5th January 2021, ends the Qatar boycott with Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, the rest of the Gulf Cooperation Council member states and Egypt. The GCC countries and Egypt signed the declaration at the 41st GCC Summit held in the city of Al-Ula in Saudi Arabia. The declaration now opens the way for the re-establishment of political and economic ties with Qatar.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan told reporters on Tuesday that the states were able to find a “resolution to all areas of difference,” and agreed to a “restoration of all diplomatic ties,”. He added that “[i]t will be a strong and important foundation to the future of the region and its stability.”

This Declaration marks the end of a two-year dispute which began on 5th June 2017 and shows commitment by GCC member states to the political and economic stability of the region. On 4th January 2021 Saudi Arabia's announced the re-opening of its airspace and land and sea borders with Qatar. We anticipate other GCC members and Egypt to follow suit in the near future.

The official text of the Al-Ula Declaration has yet to be made public and we look forward to seeing the length and breadth of the agreement. We expect this to prompt a a change of policy and procedures in the UAE with regards to Qatar and Qatari nationals, including the opening up of UAE airspace and land and sea borders with Qatar, as well as allowing Qatari nationals to travel and to reopen cross border transactions and investment.

Following the agreement, the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) announced reopening of airspace and resuming of air traffic between the UAE and the State of Qatar as of Saturday, January 9th as well as the opening of all land borders.

PRO Partner Group have offices in UAE and Qatar and we very much welcome the Declaration and restoration of all diplomatic ties. We will provide further updates as official statements are released and full implementation of the Declaration takes place.

PRO Partner Group are the leading provider of company set up and support services in the UAE and Qatar and assist companies to do business in both countries. If you have any queries on company set up in Qatar, or UAE or need further details on the impact of cross boarder business, any other related company set up, restructuring, local partner or PRO support matter in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, the wider UAE, Oman or Qatar, then please do get in touch with us on +971 (0)4 456 1761 for Dubai or +971 (0)2 448 5120 for Abu Dhabi, email us at info@ppg.ae or complete the contact form below and we will be delighted to assist you.

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