Doha/Dubai: Qatar and the United Arab Emirates are working to reopen their long-closed embassies “in the coming weeks”, an official said Tuesday, as a wave of rapprochement sweeps the turbulent Middle East region.
The two countries re-established relations in January 2021, after the UAE took part in a nearly four-year Gulf blockade of Qatar, but despite several meetings they are yet to restore the diplomatic missions. “Regarding the opening of embassies between the two countries, I think it will be in the coming weeks,” foreign ministry spokesperson Majid Al-Ansari told a briefing.
Opening the embassies would be just the latest in a series of reconciliatory steps for Gulf relations since heavyweights Saudi Arabia and Iran moved to restore ties last month.
Saudi, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt imposed a blockade on Qatar in 2017, accusing it of supporting extremist organisations in the region and becoming too close to Iran. Doha denies the allegations.
The two countries re-established relations in January 2021, after the UAE took part in a nearly four-year Gulf blockade of Qatar, but despite several meetings they are yet to restore the diplomatic missions. “Regarding the opening of embassies between the two countries, I think it will be in the coming weeks,” foreign ministry spokesperson Majid Al-Ansari told a briefing.
Opening the embassies would be just the latest in a series of reconciliatory steps for Gulf relations since heavyweights Saudi Arabia and Iran moved to restore ties last month.
Saudi, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt imposed a blockade on Qatar in 2017, accusing it of supporting extremist organisations in the region and becoming too close to Iran. Doha denies the allegations.