Egypt, Qatar to resume diplomatic relations – statement

A statement from the Egyptian Foreign Ministry says that Qatar and Egypt have agreed to resume diplomatic relations following a three year dispute.
1 min read
20 January, 2021
Flights between Egypt and Qatar resumed on Monday [Getty]

Egypt will resume diplomatic relations with Qatar, three years after cutting off ties to the Gulf nation, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry announced on Wednesday.

“The Arab Republic of Egypt and the state of Qatar have exchanged two official notes today, January 20, according to which the two countries agreed to resume diplomatic relations,” a statement from the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said.

At a summit of the Gulf Cooperation Council earlier this month, Egypt signed the Al-Ula Declaration, ending the three-year dispute between Qatar on the one hand and Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the UAE, and Egypt on the other.

Read more: Qataris crossing into Saudi Arabia welcomed with roses after border reopens

In 2017, the four countries broke off relations with Qatar and imposed an air and land blockade, accusing it of supporting extremist groups and covert relations with Iran. Qatar vehemently denied the charges.

The move came two days after Egyptian and Qatari airlines resumed flights to each other’s territory.

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