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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has hailed the decision by Saudi Arabia and Qatar to reopen their land, air and sea borders between the countries.
The Foreign Office in a statement said Pakistan also lauded other measures being taken by the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which will contribute to the resolution of outstanding issues between the countries of the organization persisting for almost four years.
Pakistan lauds the positive role played by the Emir of Kuwait towards the resolution of the differences between the countries of the GCC. “His persistent and sincere efforts and cooperation of the GCC countries led to this important and amicable outcome,” it added.
Pakistan hoped that the GCC Summit, being held today in Riyadh, would further build on these encouraging developments and lead to enhanced confidence and cooperation among the countries of the organization.
“Pakistan continues to accord high importance to its relationship with the Gulf Cooperation Council, as well as its bilateral relations with all GCC countries,” the FO said.
Saudi Arabia has decided to reopen its borders and airspace to Qatar, US and Kuwaiti officials said, a major step towards ending a diplomatic rift that has seen Riyadh lead an alliance isolating Doha.
The announcement came on the eve of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) annual summit in the northwestern Saudi Arabian city of Al-Ula where the dispute was already set to top the agenda.
In another sign the three and a half year dispute was nearing resolution, the office of Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani said that he would attend after skipping the annual meetings for the last three years.
Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt imposed a diplomatic, trade and travel boycott on Qatar in June 2017, accusing Doha of supporting “terrorism” and having ties with Iran that were deemed too close.