Official delegations representing the United Arab Emirates and the state of Qatar met in Kuwait on Monday in the first meeting between the two sides. The purpose of the meeting was to follow up on the Al Ula Declaration signed in Saudi Arabia on January 14.
The two sides discussed joint mechanisms and procedures to implement the Declaration and underscored the importance of preserving Gulf unity, developing joint action in the interest of Gulf Co-operation Council countries and their citizens, and achieving stability and prosperity in the region, Wam reported.
Furthermore, the two sides praised the efforts of Saudi Arabia in hosting the last GCC Summit, which resulted in the Al Ula Declaration.
The two sides also expressed their appreciation to His Highness Sheikh Nawaf, Emir of Kuwait, for the sincere efforts made by his country to heal the rift and support the Gulf Co-operation Council, in addition to hosting the first meeting between both countries.
Following the agreement which effectively restored diplomatic ties between Qatar and its neighbouring Gulf nations, Qataris made over 1,200 trips to and from the UAE after it reopened air, land and sea borders with Qatar on January 9.
In his opening statement at the Al Ula summit, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman said the region needed a co-ordinated effort to face regional challenges including those regarding Iran's nuclear and ballistic missiles programmes.
WHEN TO GO:
September to November or March to May; this is when visitors are most likely to see what they’ve come for.
WHERE TO STAY:
Meghauli Serai, A Taj Safari - Chitwan National Park resort (tajhotels.com) is a one-hour drive from Bharatpur Airport with stays costing from Dh1,396 per night, including taxes and breakfast. Return airport transfers cost from Dh661.
HOW TO GET THERE:
Etihad Airways regularly flies from Abu Dhabi to Kathmandu from around Dh1,500 per person return, including taxes. Buddha Air (buddhaair.com) and Yeti Airlines (yetiairlines.com) fly from Kathmandu to Bharatpur several times a day from about Dh660 return and the flight takes just 20 minutes. Driving is possible but the roads are hilly which means it will take you five or six hours to travel 148 kilometres.
Biography
Favourite Meal: Chicken Caesar salad
Hobbies: Travelling, going to the gym
Inspiration: Father, who was a captain in the UAE army
Favourite read: Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter
Favourite film: The Founder, about the establishment of McDonald's
SQUADS
India
Virat Kohli (captain), Rohit Sharma (vice-captain), Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane, Manish Pandey, Kedar Jadhav, Dinesh Karthik, Mahendra Singh Dhoni (wicketkeeper), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Shardul Thakur
New Zealand
Kane Williamson (captain), Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Ross Taylor, Tom Latham (wicketkeeper), Henry Nicholls, Ish Sodhi, George Worker, Glenn Phillips, Matt Henry, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Adam Milne, Trent Boult
