The historic agreement reached in Saudi Arabia between Gulf countries this week creates a "unified and geostrategic bloc" that will prepare states to deal with regional challenges, experts told The National.
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman pushed for a deal to end a dispute with Qatar during the 41st GCC conference and to strengthen Arab alliance against Iran.
"The agreement and reconciliation reached at Al Ula historic GCC summit shall serve to further strengthen co-operation amongst its nations and create a more unified geostrategic bloc better equipped to deal with regional threats and challenges," Abdullah Al Saud, visiting research fellow at the International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation and Political Violence at London's King's College, told The National.
“It is also hoped to bolster Arab unity, with Egypt’s involvement, and strengthen co-operation and coordination when it comes to many regional issues,” Mr Al Saud said.
Qatar's Emir, Sheikh Tamim, attended the summit for the first time since 2017, when fellow bloc members Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain, along with Egypt, cut off ties over Doha's support for extremist groups.
Sheikh Tamim exchanged a warm embrace on the tarmac at Al Ula airport with Prince Mohammed upon his arrival.
“It’s a great development to start the year with,” Mr Al Saud said.
Referring to the summit statement signed by all six GCC leaders, Prince Mohammed said the agreement "emphasises Gulf, Arab and Islamic solidarity and stability as well as the strengthening of friendship and brotherhood between our countries and people."
In his opening address to the summit Prince Mohammed urged for unity in countering Iran’s regional interference.
The Gulf region is in need of co-ordinated efforts to face challenges such as Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missiles programme, he said.
“It aims to shake up stability in the region,” Prince Mohammed said.
Qatar will now be more willing to engage with Saudi Arabia and the UAE on dealing with the Iranian threat, Samuel Ramani, an expert on international relations at the University of Oxford, said.
"Each GCC country will still maintain independent foreign policies and threat perceptions," Mr Ramani said.
But the deal will also streamline GCC-wide cooperation on macroeconomic issues of shared concern.
"A de-escalation of tensions between Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the UAE will enhance the GCC's ability to address the long-term economic consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic and facilitate collaboration on economic diversification strategies," Mr Ramani told The National.
“This strategic dialogue on economic issues could also translate into greater economic interdependence and joint investments,” he said.
Gulf member states signed a final communique that outlined “full economic integration in a way that ensures the right for all GCC citizens to work, move and invest across member states.”
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Profile of Whizkey
Date founded: 04 November 2017
Founders: Abdulaziz AlBlooshi and Harsh Hirani
Based: Dubai, UAE
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Sector: AI, software
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Day 1, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Dimuth Karunaratne had batted with plenty of pluck, and no little skill, in getting to within seven runs of a first-day century. Then, while he ran what he thought was a comfortable single to mid-on, his batting partner Dinesh Chandimal opted to stay at home. The opener was run out by the length of the pitch.
Stat of the day – 1 One six was hit on Day 1. The boundary was only breached 18 times in total over the course of the 90 overs. When it did arrive, the lone six was a thing of beauty, as Niroshan Dickwella effortlessly clipped Mohammed Amir over the square-leg boundary.
The verdict Three wickets down at lunch, on a featherbed wicket having won the toss, and Sri Lanka’s fragile confidence must have been waning. Then Karunaratne and Chandimal's alliance of precisely 100 gave them a foothold in the match. Dickwella’s free-spirited strokeplay meant the Sri Lankans were handily placed at 227-4 at the close.
Analysis
Maros Sefcovic is juggling multiple international trade agreement files, but his message was clear when he spoke to The National on Wednesday.
The EU-UAE bilateral trade deal will be finalised soon, he said. It is in everyone’s interests to do so. Both sides want to move quickly and are in alignment. He said the UAE is a very important partner for the EU. It’s full speed ahead - and with some lofty ambitions - on the road to a free trade agreement.
We also talked about US-EU tariffs. He answered that both sides need to talk more and more often, but he is prepared to defend Europe's position and said diplomacy should be a guiding principle through the current moment.
