Qatar: symbolic visit of the Emirati neighbor amid diplomatic warming

UAE National Security Advisor Sheikh Tahnoun met with Emir Al Thani of Qatar (right) on August 26.

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A senior UAE official visited Qatar on Thursday August 26 where he met Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani.

Since the reconciliation between Abu Dhabi and Doha, this is a first.

The United Arab Emirates, but also Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, fully restored their diplomatic relationship with their neighbor in January 2021.

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With our correspondent in Dubai,

Nicolas Keraudren

It is a highly symbolic visit.

On Thursday August 26, Sheikh Tahnoun, UAE national security adviser and brother of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed, met with Emir Al Thani of Qatar.

Officially, the two men discussed "

 bilateral relations and ways to strengthen them

 " according to the Qatari press agency.

The files "

in the economic and commercial fields

" were discussed, specified the official UAE agency. 

There is no doubt that sensitive issues between the two countries have also been put on the table.

In 2017, the United Arab Emirates had indeed severed its relationship with Qatar.

They accused the tiny gas emirate of being too close to Iran and the Muslim Brotherhood.

Al Jazeera inaccessible

Despite the end of the boycott three years later, relations were still so cold.

Many Qatari websites, such as that of the media Al Jazeera for example, are still inaccessible in the Emirates.

With this visit, Abu Dhabi therefore seems to be turning the page on its dispute with Doha despite persistent disagreements on major diplomatic issues. 

►Also read: The United Arab Emirates reopens the border with Qatar

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  • Qatar

  • United Arab Emirates