Qatar Emir receives Saudi, Bahrain delegations

Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani on Tuesday received the heads of delegations participating in the 16th Ministerial Meeting of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) in Doha.

The delegations included officials from Saudi and Bahrain, the first official visit by the two Gulf countries’ officials to Qatar since they launched a blockade on the small state in early June 2017.

Kuwaiti Assistant Foreign Minister for Asian Affairs, Ali Sulaiman Al-Saeed, welcomed Saudi and Bahrain’s participation, stressing on the importance of holding the ACD meeting in Qatar to enhance cooperation between Asian countries and finding solutions to the problems facing the dialogue process to resolve the blockade.

Remarking on his country’s efforts to help resolve the Gulf crisis, Al-Saeed said: “Kuwait is exerting efforts at the highest levels. His Highness the Emir, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, has made efforts that are known to everyone. However, the issue requires positive dealing with our initiatives.”

Prior to his meeting with the heads of the delegations, Al Thani said on Twitter that the ACD “will lay new foundations to benefit from the diversity and great potential of the continent in promoting integration and positive competition among members of this important system.”

READ: Saudis welcome in Doha, seeking end to Gulf crisis