(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Agencies
London: Britain has joined the US in calling for an end to the boycott of Qatar after the country's pledge to fight terrorism.
'I welcome the Emir of Qatar's commitment to combat terrorism in all its manifestations, including terrorist financing, UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said in a statement yesterday. 'We hope in turn Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt and Bahrain respond by taking steps toward lifting the embargo. This will allow substantive discussions on remaining differences to begin.
Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates cut off diplomatic relations with Qatar in June, accusing its government of funding terrorism. Qatari ruler Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has condemned the campaign by those states to isolate his nation, saying it violates international law. He says his country is open to dialog, if sovereignty is respected, to resolve the dispute.
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said last week that the US is 'satisfied with the effort Qatar is making to counter terrorism and urged its neighbors 'to consider, as a sign of good faith, lifting this land blockade. Meanwhile, European Union foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini called for swift direct talks to resolve the Gulf crisis between Qatar and its neighbours.
Mogherini's call came after she met Emir H H Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah and other officials and expressed EU support for Kuwait's 'relentless mediation efforts in the dispute.
The emir has been mediating to resolve the crisis after three Gulf states and Egypt cut ties with Qatar, accusing it of supporting extremist groups.
Mogherini in a statement called on 'all the parties to enter into negotiations to agree clear principles and a roadmap for a swift resolution of the crisis.
She said the EU was ready to support the process of negotiations and assist in the implementation of a plan for the resolution of the crisis, in particular in the area of counter-terrorism.
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