Anwar Gargash: UAE ‘appreciates’ Kuwaiti-US efforts to end Gulf crisis

Comments come amid efforts to mediate a resolution to the three-year rift

Dr Anwar Gargash said the country would embark on a review of human rights to ensure they were up to global standards. Victor Besa / The National 

The UAE expressed appreciation for Kuwaiti and US efforts to resolve the Gulf crisis, Dr Anwar Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, said on Tuesday.

The comments came after Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said on Friday that he hoped “fruitful” talks could resolve the three-year dispute in the Gulf.

"The UAE appreciates Kuwait's efforts and the US endeavours towards reinforcing solidarity in the Arab Gulf and we support the good Saudi efforts on behalf of the four countries," Dr Gargash said on Twitter.

“[The UAE] affirms that the relations of the Co-operation Council with Egypt are an essential pillar in preserving Arab security and stability in the region, and looks forward to a successful Gulf summit.”

No date has yet been announced for the next GCC meeting but it comes amid increasing diplomatic efforts to resolve the Qatar crisis.

In 2017, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Bahrain cut ties with Qatar because of its backing for terrorist groups and interference in the affairs of neighbouring states.

Repeated attempts to negotiate a resolution have not yet been successful.

But the departing administration of US President Donald Trump has been increasing efforts to start a dialogue.

Senior adviser Jared Kushner visited Riyadh and Doha last week in what was considered to be the latest attempt to end the rift.

Sheikh Ahmed Nasser Al Mohammad Al Sabah, Kuwait’s Foreign Minister, told Kuwaiti state TV that discussion over the crisis had been continuing between the country’s new Emir, Sheikh Nawaf, and Mr Trump.

“Fruitful discussions have taken place in the past period, where all parties affirmed their keenness on Gulf and Arab solidarity and stability, and on reaching a final agreement that achieves the aspired permanent solidarity between their countries,” Sheikh Nawaf said.

Prince Faisal said the kingdom was "looking towards the success of these efforts for what is in the best interest of the region".

"We look with great appreciation to the efforts of Kuwait in order to bridge between different points of view regarding the Gulf crisis,” he tweeted on Friday.

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said on Friday that Secretary General Antonio Guterres was encouraged by reports that the “Gulf rift is close to a resolution” and called for “unity” and an end to the crisis.