UAE and Qatar reopen embassies six years after cutting ties

UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan (right) welcomes Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani at the airport in Abu Dhabi (UAE) on January 18.

The UAE and Qatar restored formal relations in January 2021, after a collective diplomatic and transport boycott that isolated Qatar in the region ended after nearly four years.

"The UAE and Qatar announced the restoration of diplomatic presence between the two countries," a statement published by the UAE's WAM news agency on June 19 said.

The two sides are "restoring work at the UAE embassy in Doha, as well as at the Qatari embassy in Abu Dhabi and its consulate in Dubai," according to the statement.

Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs also issued a similar statement.

Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt launched a diplomatic and transport boycott of Qatar in 2017, accusing it of supporting extremist groups and being too close to Iran. Doha has denied the allegations.

The reopening of diplomatic missions comes at a time of easing hostilities in the Gulf, after longtime rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran announced in March an end to a seven-year severance of ties.

In an atmosphere of reconciliation, Qatar and its close neighbor Bahrain restored diplomatic relations in April.

Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan visited Iran on June 17, meeting with President Ebrahim Raisi, another important step in the reconciliation process between the two countries. Iran reopened its embassy in Riyadh this month.

The relationship between Saudi Arabia, a predominantly Sunni Muslim kingdom, and Iran, a predominantly Shiite Muslim country, has a huge impact on stability in the Middle East, as the two countries have long vied for regional influence, backing opposing sides in conflicts, including in Yemen.

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