The Qatar-Bahraini Follow-up Committee has approved the restoration of diplomatic relations between the two countries during its second meeting at the headquarters of the General Secretariat of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf in Riyadh. Dr. Ahmed bin Hassan Al Hammadi, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headed the delegation of the State of Qatar while the delegation of the Kingdom of Bahrain was headed by Sheikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Political Affairs. The Joint Legal Committee and Joint Security Committee were reviewed as were the topics on the agenda. Both sides expressed mutual desire to improve bilateral relations and enhance Gulf integration and unity according to the principles of the United Nations Charter and the provisions of the Vienna Treaty on Diplomatic Relations of 1961. It was severance of relations with Qatar in June 2017 that prompted the Kingdom of Bahrain to take these steps to enhance security and stability.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates (CNN) – During its second meeting, on Wednesday, at the headquarters of the General Secretariat of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf in Riyadh, the Qatar-Bahraini Follow-up Committee approved the restoration of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The delegation of the State of Qatar was headed during the meeting by Dr. Ahmed bin Hassan Al Hammadi, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while the delegation of the Kingdom of Bahrain was headed by Sheikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Political Affairs, according to the Qatari News Agency (QNA) and Bahrain (BNA).
The Qatari agency said: “The meeting discussed the topics on the agenda, and reviewed the outcomes of the first meeting of both the Joint Legal Committee and the Joint Security Committee.”
The Qatari agency added, “It was decided to restore diplomatic relations between the two countries, in accordance with the principles of the United Nations Charter and the provisions of the Vienna Treaty on Diplomatic Relations of 1961.”
The two sides stressed that “this step comes out of a mutual desire to develop bilateral relations and enhance Gulf integration and unity in accordance with the purposes of the Statute of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, and respect for the principles of equality between states, national sovereignty and independence, territorial integrity, and good neighborliness,” according to the Qatari agency.
On June 5, 2017, the Kingdom of Bahrain announced the severance of relations with Qatar, “because of its insistence on continuing to destabilize security and stability in the Kingdom of Bahrain, interfering in its affairs, continuing media escalation and incitement, supporting armed terrorist activities, and financing groups linked to Iran to carry out terrorist activities.” vandalism and spreading chaos in Bahrain,” according to a statement published by the official Bahrain News Agency at the time.
The restoration of diplomatic relations between Qatar and Bahrain marks a significant step towards integration and unity in the Gulf region. After years of strained relations, this decision demonstrates a mutual desire for bilateral cooperation and respect for the principles of equality and sovereignty. This move will not only benefit Qatar and Bahrain but also contribute to the stability and prosperity of the region as a whole. As the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf continues to strengthen its partnerships, we can hope for a more united and prosperous Gulf in the future.