Qatar and the UAE are on the path to restoring diplomatic relations and reopening their embassies, two officials told Reuters on 18 April, coming over two years after the end of the GCC-led blockade against Doha.
“At present, the activation of diplomatic ties, which will include the reopening of embassies, is under process between both countries,” an anonymous Emirati official told the news agency.
According to another official, embassies are expected to be opened – with new ambassadors appointed – by mid-June. A third source cited by Reuters said that diplomatic ties between the two Gulf states would be fully restored within weeks.
Just last week, Bahrain announced its intention to restore ties with Qatar. As Abu Dhabi and Manama walk the path to reconciliation with Doha, the GCC rivalry is officially near its end.
In 2017, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, and Egypt severed all relations with Qatar over accusations that it was supporting terrorism and collaborating with ‘Iranian-backed terrorists’ in the eastern Saudi region of Qatif. A land, air, and sea blockade was imposed on the Gulf state as a result.
Saudi Arabia also condemned Qatar’s ties to the Muslim Brotherhood at the time, as well as its ties to Palestinian resistance movement Hamas – who Riyadh has now warmed up its own relations with.
Ties between Cairo and Doha, specifically, had already reached a boiling point by 2013 due to Qatar’s condemnation of the Saudi and UAE-backed coup which overthrew Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated President Muhammad Morsi – who was supported by Doha and Ankara – and installed Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in his place.
By 2014, the four Arab states had withdrawn their diplomatic representation from Qatar.
Despite the accusations against Doha, many believed that the issue stemmed from a regional concern over the independence of Qatari foreign policy. Others referred to it as a competition for regional influence, politically and economically.
In 2021, a Saudi-led agreement to end the dispute saw Riyadh and Cairo reappoint ambassadors to Doha. That year, Qatar suspended its case against the UAE at the World Trade Organization (WTO), through which it had accused Abu Dhabi of taking measures to isolate it economically.
“The UAE’s foreign policy is primarily focused on building bridges, economic cooperation, and regional de-escalation,” the anonymous Emirati official went on to tell Reuters.
This comes during a significant period of Arab diplomacy and an overall regional shift that has seen Saudi Arabia restore ties with Iran, end its isolation of Syria, and distance itself from the west – signifying the potential for new political and economic alliances in the region.