Gargash: UAE hopes GCC summit will enhance intra-Gulf dialogue

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs confident in Saudi Arabia's handling of the issue

Dr Anwar Gargash, the UAE's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, has voiced hopes about a resolution of the Gulf crisis. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The UAE hopes that the coming Gulf Co-operation Council summit will succeed in enhancing the intra-Gulf dialogue.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr Anwar Gargash said the UAE has confidence and optimism that Saudi Arabia is efficiently managing the Gulf crisis.

"From Riyadh, the capital city of the Gulf decision-making, we, God willing, are taking steps to enhance the intra-Gulf dialogue towards the future," Mr Gargash said on Twitter.

Kuwait announced last week that the six-member GCC will meet on January 5 in Saudi Arabia, which has expressed its willingness to resolve the dispute.

The bloc brings together the UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar.

Mr Gargash's statement came a day after he said there was a prevailing atmosphere in the region to solve the GCC crisis with possible talks on the cards to try to end the three-year rift between Qatar and its neighbours.

"The political and social atmosphere in the Gulf is looking to end the Qatar crisis and for the best method to guarantee Doha's commitment to any agreement that brings good for the region," he said on Twitter.

"But, Qatari media seems adamant on undermining any agreement."

He described this as "a strange and difficult phenomenon to explain".

This month, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said a resolution of the Gulf diplomatic crisis was in sight, with all governments involved "on board" and a final agreement expected soon.

Egypt and the UAE have since given their public support to the negotiations.