05/01/2021 (Agence Europe) – On Tuesday 5 January, the eve of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit, EEAS Spokesperson Peter Stano welcomed the announcement that the border and airspace between Saudi Arabia and Qatar were being re-opened. “This important step will hopefully restore unity and full cooperation” within the GCC, he said, noting that the crisis had had negative repercussions beyond the Gulf region. Since June 2017, Qatar has undergone a blockade by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt, who accuse it of supporting terrorism and interfering in their internal affairs (see EUROPE 12009/20). Stano stated that the EU continues to support Kuwait’s mediation efforts, which are focused on reaching a definitive solution and putting an end to the crisis. (CG)