ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan welcomed on Tuesday the decision of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the State of Qatar to reopen land, air and sea borders between the nations.
A statement by the Foreign Office said Pakistan appreciates the positive developments in the Gulf, including steps taken by the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which will help resolve ongoing issues between the countries of the organisation over the past four years.
Pakistan lauded the Emir of Kuwait for his persistent and sincere efforts to resolve the outstanding issues between the countries of the GCC.
“His persistent [Emir of Kuwait] and sincere efforts, and cooperation of the GCC countries, led to this important and amicable outcome,” the statement read.
It also read that Pakistan continues to accord high importance to its relationship with the GCC and is hopeful that the GCC Summit -Â being held in Riyadh today – will further build on the developments and lead to enhanced cooperation among the countries of the organisation.
Gulf Arab leaders are gathering in Saudi Arabia today (Tuesday) for a summit that is expected to see a formal agreement towards ending a long-running dispute with Qatar that shattered Gulf unity at a time of heightened regional tensions with Iran.
Riyadh, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and non-Gulf Egypt severed diplomatic, trade and travel ties with Qatar in mid-2017 over allegations Doha supports terrorism. Qatar denies that and says the boycott aims to curb its sovereignty.
Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani headed to al-Ula, where the summit is being held, state media reported, after an announcement that Saudi Arabia would reopen its airspace and sea and land border to Qatar under a deal that a senior US official said would be signed on Tuesday.
Bahrain will be represented by its crown prince instead of the king at the annual summit and the UAE delegation is headed by the federation’s vice-president, who is also ruler of Dubai.