Manama : Gulf leaders signed a declaration on Tuesday towards ending a rift with Qatar during a landmark summit in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt have restored full diplomatic relations with Qatar, marking the end of a three and half year air, land and sea blockade.
Ahead of the 41st Gulf summit, Saudi Arabia reopened its airspace and land and sea borders to Qatar on Monday, considered as the first major step to ease the rift.
The boycott had begun in June 5, 2017, when the four countries accused Qatar of supporting terrorism. Qatar denied the allegations and rejected the 13 demands put forward by the Arab quartet to end the embargo.
The Al Ula declaration calls for GCC unity and enhancing its regional and international role as a one economic and political bloc that helps achieve security, peace, stability and prosperity in the region.
The declaration emphasized the need to combat terrorist entities that threaten the security of Gulf nations, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said.
“This summit sends a message to the whole world that no matter how much disagreement is in the same house, wisdom is able to overcome all this and move the region to safety”, he told a press conference at the conclusion of the summit.
Leaders of the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council signed the Al Ula declaration, named after the noted ancient Saudi city where the summit is being held, and a final communique.
The final communique called for strengthening cooperation in combating terrorist entities, and an emphasis on the GCC countries standing united, he added.
Prince Mohammed bin Salman said the declaration signed by Gulf leaders and Egypt “emphasizes Arab and Gulf solidarity and stability, and reinforces the continuity of friendship and brotherhood between our countries.” He thanked the United States and Kuwait for their mediation.
Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim Al Thani attended the summit. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received Sheikh Tamim, his first visit since the start of the crisis, on the airport tarmac. The two leaders hugged, and images of the warm welcome were widely shared on regional social media.
Sheik Tamim described the agreement in a tweet as a "defining moment."
"I thank the brothers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the generous welcome and I thank the brotherly State of Kuwait for its valued efforts," he wrote.
The Saudi the decision to end its embargo marks a milestone toward resolving the dispute.
The summit was chaired by the Saudi crown prince on behalf of King Salman. Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jabeer Al-Sabah, UAE Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Bahrain Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa and Oman's Deputy Prime Minister Syed Fahad bin Mahmood Al Zayd attended the summit. Egypt’s foreign minister also attended the meeting.
The United States welcomed the outcomes of the summit and the declaration, saying it “marks a positive step toward restoring Gulf and Arab unity.
GCC Secretary-General Nayef Al-Hajraf said the AlUla Declaration emphasized the GCC’s goals and strengthened the bonds of friendship and brotherhood among the member states.
The Arab crisis has led the region into serious concerns. Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Nawaf's recent mediation efforts helped the block to end the crisis.
