Gulf capitals have during the final months of 2020 urged the need for unity, establishing a positive atmosphere as Saudi Arabia prepares to host the 41st Gulf Cooperation Council summit next week.
The positive atmosphere was sensed throughout the majority of the capitals as Saudi Arabia dispatched invitations to their leaders to attend Tuesday’s summit in AlUla.
On Thursday, Cairo highlighted the positive signs by underlining the importance of Arab and Gulf unity in order to bolster regional security and stability.
Voices of hope that the Gulf rift will be resolved first emerged in Kuwait in late 2020. It declared in early December that its efforts to resolve the dispute between Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt with Qatar have started to bear fruit.
The four countries severed economic and diplomatic ties with Doha in June 2017 over its support and financing of terrorism.
Kuwait continued its efforts on Thursday when its Foreign Minister Ahmad bin Nasser Al Sabah held talks in Dubai with Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Sheikh Mohammed hailed the depth of relations between Kuwait and the UAE, underscoring the pioneering efforts of late Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber Al Sabah in resolving the Gulf row.
He stressed the importance of Gulf unity and solidarity, especially as the region witnesses several major challenges.
The UAE’s leadership, government and people support all efforts to achieve the higher national objectives of GCC countries, he added, according to the WAM news agency.
Meanwhile, Egyptian Foreign Ministry stressed on Friday that Cairo backs all sincere efforts to unite Arab and Gulf ranks.
“The reconciliation paves the way for constructive cooperation and preserves the interests of all sides,” said ministry spokesman Ahmed Hafez.
The one-day summit will focus on joint Gulf work, securing the region, boosting stability and combating the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
