President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed welcomed Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. The UAE-Qatar diplomatic meeting focused on strengthening bilateral relations and addressing key regional developments.
The leaders met as regional tensions escalated following remarks by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about Qatar’s role in Gaza mediation. Sheikh Mohamed and Sheikh Tamim discussed ways to enhance cooperation between the UAE and Qatar in various fields. They also exchanged views on the evolving crisis in the Middle East.
The UAE-Qatar diplomatic meeting occurred shortly after Qatar issued a strong response to Netanyahu’s comments. Netanyahu accused Qatar of playing a double game and criticized its mediation with Hamas. Qatar’s Foreign Ministry called these remarks “inflammatory” and lacking “political and moral responsibility.”
Qatar hosts the political office of Hamas and previously helped mediate a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel. That truce collapsed in March. Since then, renewed attempts to broker peace have failed. The UAE-Qatar diplomatic meeting took place amid these failed negotiations and heightened regional scrutiny.
A number of senior Emirati officials attended the meeting. Among them were Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed and Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed. Also present were Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed, and other high-ranking government representatives. These officials reflected the UAE’s full institutional support for the visit.
The Qatari delegation included Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad. Other key Qatari officials also joined discussions and attended the official luncheon.
Sheikh Mohamed personally received Sheikh Tamim upon his arrival in Abu Dhabi. Later, he hosted a lunch in his honor. The two leaders affirmed their shared commitment to stability, diplomacy, and stronger Gulf relations.
