UAE President visits Qatar in sign of improving ties

Abu Dhabi, UAE— In a sign of improving relations, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan has begun a visit to Qatar on Monday.

According to WAM, the visit comes in response to an invitation from the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, and builds on the existing relations between the two nations and their people.

The visit is in the wake of a yearslong four-nation boycott of Doha over a political dispute that poisoned regional relations.

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The estrangement in the relations between Doha and other Arab stemmed from Qatar’s support of the Islamists who rose to power in Egypt and elsewhere following the 2011 Arab Spring.

The boycott, which saw the four nations shut off air and sea routes to Qatar, only ended in January 2021 just ahead of President Joe Biden taking office in the United States.

The boycott began immediately after a visit to the region by then-President Donald Trump early in his presidency.

The two leaders are expected to discuss bilateral ties and ways to enhance cooperation between the two Gulf states.

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The UAE was among the Arab countries invited to attend the FIFA World Cup opening ceremony in Doha.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, UAE’s vice president, prime minister and ruler of Dubai, represented the UAE among Arab leaders attending the opening ceremony of the global tournament.

The opening ceremony of the World Cup, which coincided with Qatar facing Ecuador in the tournament’s first match, saw Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi attend.

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Also on the dais with leaders was Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who provided a vital lifeline to Qatar during the crisis.

Dubai’s ruler also attended along with his son while Sheikh Mohammed did not attend. However, he called Sheikh Tamim the following day and “congratulated” Qatar on hosting the World Cup — something that would have been unthinkable at the height of the diplomatic crisis.