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Qatar and Saudi Arabia, rival countries in the Gulf crisis, as well as neutral parties Oman and Kuwait, announced yesterday progress in resolving the diplomatic war between the small emirate against the powerful Sunni kingdom and its three Arab allies.
“Is the time…”
“It’s time to drop it and move on,” Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said, speaking from Bahrain, where he was attending a regional security conference.
Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Ahmed Nasser al-Mohammed al-Sabah, whose country is leading the mediation effort, said that all parties had expressed their willingness to reach a “final agreement” during “constructive talks.” in which the United States participated.
In a tweet, Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdurahman Al Thani welcomed Kuwait’s statement as “an urgent step” to resolve the dispute.
The Kuwait declaration is an imperative step in resolving the GCC crisis. We express our appreciation to the State of Kuwait for its mediation and to the United States for its efforts. The interest and safety of the people of the Gulf and the region remain our highest priority.
– Muhammad bin Abdulrahman (@MBA_AlThani_) December 4, 2020
Qatar’s foreign minister said earlier at the Mediterranean Dialogue Forum in Rome that Doha hoped “for things to move in the right direction.”
“The unity of the Gulf”
“The unity of the Gulf is very important for the security of the region.” This unnecessary crisis must end on the basis of mutual respect. “
Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt cut diplomatic and trade relations with Qatar in June 2017, accusing it of supporting terrorism and maintaining close ties with Iran. Doha denies the accusations.
The four countries expelled Qatari citizens living in their territory, closed their borders and ports, and prevented Qatari planes from entering their airspace.
Speaking in an online forum about the health crisis, Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan al-Saud said that a solution to the dispute with Qatar seemed “feasible”.
The UN Secretary General highlights the importance of the unity of the Gulf (Reuters)
“We have made significant progress in recent days thanks to Kuwait’s continued efforts, but also thanks to the strong support of President Trump,” he said.
Guterres
The UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, has expressed the “hope that all the countries involved in this crisis will work together to resolve their differences.” “He stressed the importance of the unity of the Gulf for peace, security and development in the region,” said his spokesman, Stefan Duradzic.
Turkey also welcomed the progress made yesterday afternoon, welcoming Kuwait’s “sincere efforts” to resolve the crisis, while calling for an end to sanctions against Qatar, which Ankara called “unfair”.
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted that he hoped that reconciliation in the Gulf “will contribute to the stability and political and economic development of all the peoples of our region.”
We welcome the understandings in the Persian Gulf announced by Kuwait.
Iran’s longstanding policy is diplomacy, good neighborly relations, and regional dialogue.
We hope that reconciliation will contribute to the stability and political and economic development of all the peoples of our region.#HOPE
– Javad Zarif (@JZarif) December 4, 2020
Analysts had previously estimated that any solution could only be found between Riyadh and Doha, with the exception of the United Arab Emirates in particular, the country that has been most critical of Qatar since the start of the crisis.
More complete agreement
Prince Faisal’s comments suggest a broader agreement, but neither Abu Dhabi nor Manama immediately reacted to the Saudi official’s comments.
Jared Kouchner also visits Saudi Arabia (AP)
President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and adviser Jared Kouchner raised the issue and pushed for progress during a visit to Qatar last Wednesday.
Some details about the visit by Kouchner, who also visited Saudi Arabia, were made public.
Source: ΑΠΕ
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