Gulf envoys in Germany to discuss Qatar blockade

Munich : The Ambassadors of Bahrain, the UAE, Egypt and the Saudi Charge d’Affaires were in Germany yesterday for talks on battling terrorism, as the blockade issued by the Gulf nations against Qatar entered the second week. 

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt are among several countries that suspended ties with Qatar last week, including the suspension of all flights to and from Doha and an airspace ban on Qatar Airways.

In their meeting with the Regional Director for the Middle East and Near East at the German Foreign Ministry Dr Phillip Ackerman, the envoys affirmed that the blockade is not against the people of the region and stressed the keenness of the four countries in ensuring that the Qatari people are not affected due to the Doha-led policies.

“The Qatari people represents a natural extension of the other GCC peoples and an integral part of their roots and social fabric,” the envoys stressed.

Explaining the necessity of the actions taken, the envoys made clear that the “actions were meant to dry up the sources of financing and to fight extremism”. 

The diplomats pointed out that Doha continuously ignored calls to commit to the Riyadh agreement which was signed in 2013 as well as its addendum in 2014.

The German Government voiced its concern over the unfolding crisis, stressing the importance of seeking an inner GCC solution.