Kuwait says determined to resolve Gulf crisis

DOHA

Kuwait said Wednesday it was still pursuing efforts to resolve the Gulf crisis triggered by the cut-off of ties between four Arab states and Qatar in mid-2017.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue's ministerial meeting (ACD) in Doha, Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled al-Jarallah, said Kuwait is hopeful to mend the rift.

Al-Jarallah asserted that Kuwaiti Emir Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah has been doing mediation efforts and is "determined to contain the crisis and reunite the Gulf".

The ACD meeting "has a high participation from the Gulf Cooperation Council's countries and this is a positive sign that we are moving in the right direction," Al-Jarallah said.

In mid-2017, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt all abruptly severed ties with Doha, accusing it of supporting terrorist groups.

Qatar, for its part, has vociferously denied the allegation, describing the Saudi-led embargo against it as a violation of international law.

"Kuwait relies heavily on this cooperation and considers that it will enable the member states to realize the aspirations of their peoples for sustainable and constructive development," al-Jarallah said.

Established in 2001, ACD is formed of 34 member states and held its first meeting in Thailand in 2002 with the participation of 18 Asian founding countries.

In September 2018, Qatar assumed the chairmanship of the ACD, while Turkey will chair the next ministerial meeting next year.

* Writing by Mahmoud Barakat