Doha: The President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) arrived in Qatar on Monday for the first such visit since Saudi Arabia and its Arab allies ended their boycott of Doha nearly two years ago.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who ruled the UAE for years before becoming president in May, was met by Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani upon his arrival, the Emir’s office said. Qatar is currently hosting the Football World Cup.
Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE president, said on Twitter that the visit is another step towards strengthening Gulf solidarity and joint action.
Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt lifted a 3-1/2-year embargo on Qatar early last year, but relations between Doha and Abu Dhabi have not warmed as quickly as those with Riyadh and Cairo. which restored diplomatic relations. Relations with Doha
The crown prince of Saudi Arabia and the president of Egypt attended the opening ceremony of the World Cup in Doha on November 20, while the UAE sent the ruler of Dubai, who is also the vice president of the Gulf state.
The political conflict that saw Riyadh and its allies cut all ties with Qatar – over support for Islamist groups they see as a threat to the Gulf dynasty’s rule and its ties with rivals Iran and Turkey – has six The country’s Gulf bloc was shattered.
Both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have since moved to ease tensions with Shiite Muslim Iran and improve relations with Turkey as they focus on economic development.
UAE national security adviser Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan visited Doha twice as part of Abu Dhabi’s push to manage regional differences.
Bahrain and Qatar have not yet held bilateral talks. Abu Dhabi, like Manama, has not appointed an envoy to Doha but has restored travel and trade links between the UAE and Qatar.
This allowed the UAE to capitalize on the influx of World Cup fans under Doha’s partnership with daily shuttle flights to neighboring cities such as the tourist hub of Dubai.
