Qatar and Bahrain announced late Wednesday that they had agreed to end a long-running diplomatic feud and re-establish relations, following in the footsteps of other Gulf nations who have already renewed ties with Qatar. Bahrain joined Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt in imposing a diplomatic blockade on Qatar in 2017, accusing it of supporting extremist organizations in the region and getting too close to Iran. However, with the reconciliation accord sealed in January 2021, Bahrain is the last of the four countries to restore diplomatic relations with Qatar.
The agreement on the reconciliation was reached in talks at the Gulf Cooperation Council headquarters in Saudi Arabia, according to Qatar’s foreign ministry. In a statement, Qatar’s foreign ministry said, “The neighbors decided to restore diplomatic relations between the two countries according to the principles of the United Nations charter.” The statement further added that the decision stems from the mutual desire to develop bilateral relations and enhance Gulf unity and integration. Bahrain’s foreign ministry also released a similar statement, as reported by the country’s state news agency.
This reconciliation comes amid a flurry of regional efforts to resolve disputes, with Saudi Arabia and Iran also agreeing last month to resume relations after formally breaking off ties seven years ago.
However, restoring relations between Qatar and Bahrain has been more challenging due to thorny issues such as their maritime border. The two countries have regularly accused each other of illegally detaining fishermen from the other country. Nevertheless, the recent talks at the Gulf Cooperation Council headquarters seem to have paved the way for the restoration of diplomatic relations, marking a significant step towards resolving the longstanding feud.
The blockade imposed on Qatar in 2017 resulted in the banning of Qatari planes and ships from using the airspace and territorial waters of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, and Egypt. The blockade had a significant impact on Qatar’s economy and disrupted regional trade and travel. The restoration of diplomatic relations between Qatar and Bahrain is expected to improve regional stability and promote cooperation among Gulf countries.
The reconciliation between Qatar and Bahrain also follows recent positive developments between Qatar and the UAE, with officials from both countries holding reconciliation meetings last week and describing the atmosphere as positive. However, the reopening of embassies between Qatar and the UAE is yet to take place.
As the Gulf nations work towards restoring diplomatic relations and resolving their differences, the international community has welcomed these positive steps towards reconciliation in the region. The United Nations and other global leaders have encouraged Gulf countries to prioritize dialogue, cooperation, and peaceful resolution of disputes to ensure stability and prosperity in the region.
With the restoration of diplomatic relations between Qatar and Bahrain, hopes are high for further progress in resolving issues among Gulf nations and fostering unity and integration in the region. The reconciliation marks a significant milestone in the journey towards regional stability and cooperation, and it is expected to have a positive impact on the political, economic, and social dynamics of the Gulf region.