Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al-Thani revealed to Al-Jazeera that it is too early to talk about real progress in dialogue with Saudi Arabia, and that what has been achieved is opening channels between Doha and Riyadh.
In an interview with Al-Jazeera, the Minister stressed that the Cooperation Council must return coherently to represent the cornerstone of any fruitful dialogue between the Gulf states and Iran.
"The work of the Cooperation Council has been affected by the crisis, and we hope to overcome many challenges next year," he added.
The Qatari minister said yesterday, Saturday, that "slight" progress was made on the same issue, as he made it clear that his country is not currently holding talks with the UAE, and that talks are taking place with Saudi Arabia only.
He added that this contributed to developing a line of communication, and Doha does not yet see a date for reaching an agreement with the Saudis.
For his part, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said today Sunday in Doha that the talks between Saudi Arabia and Qatar represent a good development that is in the interest of the entire Gulf region.
In response to a question in the Doha forum about whether the connection between Doha and Riyadh recently was in the interest of the region, Zarif said, "Of course it is."