Bahraini Emir in Qatar for Talks on Boosting TiesBahraini Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Issa al-Khalifa arrived in Doha, Qatar, on Tuesday for talks on bringing back to normal the bilateral ties after the end of the two Gulf neighbors' territorial disputes.Sheikh Hamad said upon arrival that his visit would further boost the bilateral ties and strengthen Gulf unity, Kuwait's official KUNA news agency reported. A new page has been opened after the International Court of Justice in The Hague ruled on the territorial disputes between the two countries, the Bahraini emir added. "We consider the ruling a joint achievement as both countries won the battle of the future," he said. In its verdict last Wednesday, the court ruled that Bahrain has the sovereignty over the Hawar islands and the Qitat Jarada island, and that the Zubarah strip, Janan island and Feshi Al-Daibal rocks belong to Qatar. The ruling put an end to the disputes dating back to the 1930s between the two emirates over the isles, which are believed to be rich in oil and gas resources. Meanwhile, the Bahraini leader voiced hope that the work of the joint Bahraini-Qatari Higher Committee would be resumed and the joint projects will be carried out. Doha and Manama suspended last year the activities of the committee, charged with tackling joint projects and border disputes, after both sides resorted the issue to the court, the main judicial organ of the United Nations. Sheikh Hamad also called on "public and private institutions in the two countries to take the initiatives and pave the way for the unity of the two emirates and the development of the cooperation and integration to achieve a common aim." The Bahraini emir is due to hold talks later with his Qatari counterpart Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani. |
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