In statements issued by both countries, it was announced that the Qatari Embassy in Abu Dhabi, the Qatari Consulate in Dubai, and the UAE Embassy in Doha have resumed their functions as of June 19.

The decision to restore diplomatic relations reflects the shared commitment of their leaders to strengthen Arab collaboration and fulfill the aspirations of their respective peoples, as emphasized by the Qatari foreign ministry.

In a phone call, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, the UAE's foreign minister, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, Qatar's counterpart who also serves as the prime minister, expressed their satisfaction with the reopening of diplomatic missions.

Both officials viewed this development as heralding a new era of cooperation and partnership, underscoring the longstanding relations between Qatar and the UAE. During their conversation, they engaged in discussions on enhancing cooperation across various sectors.

It is worth noting that in 2017, the UAE, along with Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Egypt, imposed a boycott and blockade on Qatar. However, the boycott was officially lifted in January 2021. While Saudi Arabia and Egypt have reinstated their ambassadors to Doha following a Saudi-led agreement to resolve the dispute, Bahrain has yet to reopen its embassy in Qatar.

Qatar's hosting of the World Cup in December 2022 provided an opportunity for leaders from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the UAE to visit the country and engage in diplomatic interactions. (ILKHA)