The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in tandem with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt, has agreed to fully restore ties with neighbouring Qatar with the signing of the Al-Ula Declaration.
The Al-Ula Declaration ends the Qatar boycott with the 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.
The Al-Ula Declaration ends the Qatar boycott
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan told reporters 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 “It 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. It is expected that other GCC members and Egypt will follow suit in the near term.