Is Saudi Arabia and Qatar going through “concerning” bilateral relationship?

Qatar and Saudi Arabia have shared a long rift earlier in the past which lasted almost 4 years before it was put-to-end by Saudi in 2021. Saudi accused Qatar of supporting terrorism in 2017. Qatar denied it and says the blockade aims to undermine its sovereignty, back then.

The message was received by Deputy Foreign Minister Eng. Waleed bin Abdulkarim Al-Khuraiji during his meeting at the ministry's headquarters in Riyadh with the Qatari Ambassador to the Kingdom, Bandar Mohammed Al-Attiyah, on Wednesday. During the meeting, bilateral relations were reviewed, and matters of mutual interest were discussed. — SPA.

Two of the most powerful Arab nations, and allies, Qatar and Saudi Arabia are part of Gulf member states, in the Arabian Peninsula. They have a long and complex history, dating back to the 18th century.

Saudi Arabia and Qatar are both members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), a regional organization of six Gulf states. Saudi Arabia, alongside with United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Egypt have had imposed a diplomatic, trade, and travel blockade on Qatar in mid-2017, accusing Qatar of supporting terrorism.

Saudi Arabia and Qatar alongside other GCC members put an end to blockade in 2021, after reaching an agreement with Qatar, under the agreement, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, and Egypt had lifted diplomatic, trade, and travel blockade, as well as opening of airspace, land and sea borders. While in return, Doha (capital of Qatar) dropped lawsuits relating to the dispute.

Both the nations enjoy a healthy and prospering bilateral trade and business relationship, in terms of bilateral trade, Saudi Arabia is Qatar's largest trading partner, in 2021, the total trade between the two countries was $12.1 billion. Saudi Arabia exports mainly oil and gas to Qatar, while Qatar exports mainly food and beverages to Saudi Arabia.

The trade is expected to grow between the two, in 2023, as in the first half of 2023, the trade between the two countries has reached $6.2 billion, which is a 10% increase from the same period in 2022. The trends are likely to follow, and grow in the coming years.

Saudi Arabia and Qatar have been allies to each other all throughout the history of the two countries, and share prospering relations in the field of security, trade, etc. Saudi and Qatar share the same language, religion, and customs as well.

• Both the countries are members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). They work together to influence the global oil market.