Statement by Foreign Ministers of UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt

The foreign ministers of the United Arab Emirates, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Bahrain and the Arab Republic of Egypt issued the following statement after their joint meeting in Manama Sunday: -The foreign ministers of the United Arab Emirates, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Bahrain and the Arab Republic of Egypt met on July 30th 2017 as part of their continuing consultations on the Qatari crisis and the necessity of Doha stopping its support and funding of terrorism; sheltering and providing safe havens for fugitives and defects convicted of terrorism and its financing in their countries; promoting hatred rhetoric and incitement; and meddling in the internal affairs of the region's countries.

-The ministers praised the efforts made by the King of Bahrain Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and his warm welcome and hospitality, expressing gratitude at getting informed of his wise vision to ensure common Arab interests and continuation of solidarity between the four countries vis-a-vis all the challenges besetting them.

-The ministers reviewed the latest developments of the Qatari crisis and the communications they conducted over the past period at the regional and international levels, affirming their continued coordination to put an end to terrorism and maintain regional and international peace and security.

-The four nations have underscored the importance of the six guiding principles declared at the Cairo meeting as representing international consensus toward combatting terrorism and extremism, uprooting its funding, and rejecting interference in the internal affairs of other countries, which are all acts that fly in the face of all international laws and conventions, underlining in this regard the importance of enforcing the Riyadh Agreements in 2013 and 2014 which have not been honoured by the State of Qatar.

-The four nations underline the importance of Qatar meeting the 13 anti-terror demands listed by them before in order to achieve security regionally and globally.

-The four nations expressed readiness for dialogue with Qatar with the condition that it declares its sincere willingness to stop funding terrorism and extremism and its commitment to not interfere in other countries' foreign affairs and respond to the 13 demands.

-The four countries stress that all the measures taken against Qatar align with their sovereignty and international law.

- The four states commended the role played by the Emir of the State of Kuwait Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah to resolve the Qatari crisis within an Arab framework .

-The four countries denounced Qatar’s measures regarding blocking its nationals from performing Haj this year, lauding the consistent services provided by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to welcome all pilgrims and streamline their religious rituals.

The four ministers agreed to continue consultations and coordination on the issue during their next meetings.

H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation represented the UAE during the meeting.

Source: Wam