thank you now for to tell me it's water. out to syria examines the social financial impact of to privatizing loads of food on al-jazeera. gulf leaders sign a declaration to reaffirm their ties that a summit to help resolve a 3 year disputes with cattle. again i'm peter w. watching al-jazeera live from doha also coming up voting is underway in the u.s. state of georgia where to run off races will determine if the democrats can claim control of the senate. england and scotland go into another lockdown to contain cope with 19 us hospitals struggle to cope with a surge in infection it's. also had

a change of plan the new york stock exchange decides not to remove the shares of 3 chinese telecommunications companies. leaders from across the gulf region have signed a declaration calling for solidarity and stability at a summit at resolving the 3 year dispute with cattle representatives from gulf countries including the amir of cats gathered in the city of allah it follows a move by saudi arabia to open its air sea and land borders to cata it was seen as a big step towards resolving an illegal blockade of the country delegations from amman bahrain the united arab emirates kuwait and egypt are also attending. earlier catalogs a mere shake to mean been home at all funny was greeted by the saudi crown prince mohammed bin so man with an embrace it marked one of the most important moments in

relations between the gulf countries in recent years not that i'm able to one up a half hour block has been built on the basis of our shared roots and common traditions with the aim of serving the interests of our respective people therefore we should all work together towards achieving the goals on the basis of which this block was formed ok for more on this let's talk now to news correspondent my colleague zeros jamal sheil jamal who's been driving this. well over the past 3 years the consistent. push to resolve this has come out of kuwait city there were initially mixed messages coming from washington however in the past 6 to 12 months seemed to be more of a push from the trumpet ministration to resolve the crisis which many people pointed towards. policies for actually being behind the divisions in the 1st place the recent let's see efforts that managed to get this over the finish

line so to speak did come following the visit of senior white house adviser and son in law of donald trump questioner when he came to riyadh and doha met with both the emir of qatar shoot them in $130.00 and the central defacto ruler of saudi arabia crown prince become a bin son man and that's when we saw a lot more movements we saw the statements coming from queens foreign minister as well as obviously this lifting of the air land and sea blockade by at least saudi in the past 24 hours so that's been the main push behind it but not lost on this like i say is the role of both kuwait and to some extent other countries and that's why for example the summit that's taking place and i was actually dubbed the . summit in respect of the 2 late leaders of our man in kuwait both of whom had a role in either reaching us to display bringing us to this point or at least

diffusing what was a very difficult situation will there be lots of loose ends that need to be tied up and those who sends me take several weeks indeed several months. it's a very nice way of putting it in a sense the her are a lot of reasons and there are a lot of differences the questions is do you actually have to tie them up and that's what people need to discuss because countries do have different opinions they have different policies the crux of the division peter wasn't the divisions or the different outlooks that these countries had in so much as it was not being able to either agree to disagree or not being able to find a mechanism where those differences could be settled you had to cut out on the one hand which was a lot more poor listed in its approach to the arab world which was a lot more inclusive in the way in which it wanted to not necessarily govern but at least engage with political forces in the middle east and north africa region and then you had the blockade in countries which saw that as an existential threat to their or their autocratic or kind of absolute monarchies and those divisions still

remain whether they will just agree to disagree as i say or whether as you say they will try and hash the mountain something we'll see but just very quickly what's important to note here is that what's happened in a lot is a declaration and not some sort of a comprehensive deal that has concessions and agreements within it ok we must leave it there for the moment thanks very much jamal mohammed bell is all meet. up with this update from there. there is some activity around me you may not see it behind me this is the border crossing but around us there is a lot of activity by the police security however nobody has crossed yet we've been here since the morning nothing of that sort has happened we have asked the security personnel here they told us they are waiting for instructions but they said technically the border is open and we have seen them you know into the inside the booths behind me. dusting off the desks and cameras and so on so there is

preparation going on but there is no crossing yet it's very crucial to see people crossing here because this is the physical aspect of this blockade on qatar this is the only land border that qatar has with the outside world and it is linking it with saudi arabia it is a lifeline for many people who have been. dealing in business and so on between the 2 countries or so for families across the across the region remember the gulf region is a very socially connected area with tribes on both sides of the border with families here and there and they have been separated but that disruption the social fabric has been very painful over the last 3 years and many people are waiting for their situation to end so the expectation is that as the days go by for more after tomorrow maybe in 3 days from now this border crossing will return to normal well

sultan but i curtis director at the center for conflict and humanitarian studies at the institute for graduate studies says donald trump's involvement in the crisis both allowed it to start but also force true a breakthrough. it was clear i think from the beginning that mr trump got everything confused and his knowledge of the of the region at the time was very limited and he makes statements that he and his administration regretted later on and they reversed it they reversed a lot of these issues and this is one of the things that really forced the hand of the saudis to accept the condition or fact the only response qatar has has given right from the beginning and that is we're willing to it's all but we're not going to accept those 13 conditions we're willing to talk but without any preconditions that we we meet any of those totally irrational demands and in fact and as a result of it of course qatar did not just lay down and take the blockade they've

done a lot of effort to try and work around the blockade they found alternative routes to connect to the world to get supplies and so on but most importantly i think they stuck to the low and they pursued this with a great deal of dignity and recognition of the fact that states are made by what they did national makes makes of them and to what degree they respect that international law so by the end of 2020 there were at least 4 or 5 cases that qatar has won against the book a tin can raise all very important landmark cases to do with human rights world trade organization aviation egg case all of this would have naturally ended the blockade had we just continued to this because the rest of the world record nights that what these bookending can these were doing was absolutely illegal. ok let's stay with the

developing story for you because we are imminently as you can see there from your screen expecting a news conference any moment now giving us the details what they hope and read so far let's just have a listen in to what's being said that. people have enjoyed the hospitality it's an honor to receive you today. i began by welcoming the secretary general of the gulf cooperation council in this historic. province today's summit chaired by his highness think prince on behalf of the king and the monarch of saudi arabia it is of a good significance simply because it gave great presidents to the higher interest and the data is good of the g.c.c. as a bloc and they are of and regional security it is a message to the whole can world community that no matter how differences are it is

the will of the monarchs to live to transcend above them and take their agent and it's a people safe sure hoping that the. siller deputy or top down when our game incented they will live up to the expectations and steer us forward into the future. remain. under law is well undermines the here deep rooted. roots bonding the region's country and the shared faith that demand which should transcend above differences and give precedence to the higher interest of the greater good of the countries and their respective people in order to achieve the highest levels of corporations at all levels is steering the regions away from any obstacles that stand on the way of the unity cooperation and senate that it is

stressing the fact that none of the blocs countries own affairs should be meddled in any way shape or form. it is also a cold to stand united in the face of any threat to the regional threat standing firmly to any direct or in direct interventions in the any of the domestic affairs cemented cooperation in fighting terrorism and other terrorist organizations that undermine the region's stability or security and iterating the commitments that all the relevant issues will be out and based on the content of the document and through bilateral discussions cooperation and coordination between the blocks countries will be out in force namely combating terrorism and organized crime in all forms today's wouldn't have been possible. i would

like to seize the opportunity to explain. again today's achievement wouldn't have been possible without their great and diverse exerted by the state of quiet on the auspices of the united arab emirates and here i would like to recall the efforts exerted by the late i made of kuwait late so bad. as he has he had spared no effort to mend fences and these efforts where continued on followed up with by his successor shared no us it is also an opportunity to extend all appreciation to the united arab emirates for the efforts exerted by them during their presidency of the previous session commending the achievements made under their presidency and we. all the best for the sultanate of our men and their upcoming presidency of the summit. his highness crown prince met

today with his fellow rulers of the blogs. states with the participation of egypt in a summit that can be summoned as this summit of transparency and friendliness brotherliness. with the hope to preserve the security and stability of the agent he also. chaired the summit as that 10 a dish and to be hosted by the king of saudi arabia since the inception of this block 4 decades ago emphasizing that their efforts would be spared in order to cement our solidarity and unity co-operation and live up to the aspirations of the . members. during the summit all issues of mutual interest have been discussed and unified stances have been

adopted i give the floor to the secretary general in order to. inform you about the latest. resolutions made. thank you my brother. and i welcome you once again. i welcome the representatives of the media on this historic day. it is on my list. of cooperation and karen says again this achievement wouldn't have been possible without with the keenness of the rulers of the g.c.c. countries to preserve the. body and spirit of this plot in order to grave through all the challenges as well.

it is clear that the blog is more. my and powerful from we move forward in the journey of the block. under the guidance of god almighty. and under the auspices of the g.c.c. rulers who are adamant to preserve and maintain the unity. and welfare. of this block and its respective peoples. allow me your highness in order to read the communique. that declaration issued and the 1st 41st session of the. summit of the arab gulf cooperation council. this summit. first sizes in its 41st session names

after the certain couple. of it of course just undermining the basic principles of the bloc namely to preserve and maintain the cooperation of the member states to maintain a c.n.n. and balester its original international role and continue to work as a political economic and social uniform block to the best interests of the welfare of the region and its people we are all hopes that this declaration that has been. unfolded in this summit well brained our joint action back again. and they enforce the welfare of the region's people the signature by egypt is a testament of egypt. bond with the blocs member

states. emphasizing the principles articulated and the basic law of the council that this unit is to the best interest of the entire arab region there is a pandemic has proven through challenge and they see. this summit has achieved unprecedented achievement under the presidency of the king of saudi arabia and there is no doubt that addressing the pandemic and its a consequence is demand reinforcing the joint action namely the total execution of the vision of his the monarch of saudi arabia king solomon of 3rd arabia as endorsed by the supreme council and the $36.00 addition on 2015 within a specific time limit including the. economic.

unity and political. cooperation to reinvigorate the gulf. disease centers that is formed under this summit based on the vision of his royal highness is the monarch of the saudi arabia and to reinforce the collective efforts towards combating the pandemic to continue. to fulfill the requirements of they only for. cannot make zone including giving the members state and its citizens the freedom to move work and vest and in benefit by education and health benefits and although to continue the uniform of the rain way great and

to reinforce and encourage. and drug gulf investment to embark on the recent at sea event. made by the g. 20 summit under the presidency of the king of saudi arabia including reinvigorating the economy giving room for the participation of private sector empowering women and youth at a larger degree they cannot make development also to encourage the digital. economy the digital economy including laying down programs and plans and cooperation with the relevant professional houses to develop the technical capabilities within the government organs including the artificial intelligence in order to ensure the speed and efficiency of providing services developing health care and educational services e-commerce and they enforce cooperation between the

member states and their respective institutions as the 2020 digital and shit if during force transparency accountability and governess including combating corruption through their joint efforts within the member states . and situations and term bark on the agreements made in the g 20. and heriot agreement with respect to the. and. border corruption simply because corruption is huge but they make it to development and welfare to reinforce military cooperation between the member states under the supervision of the joint defense command and the higher the uniform higher military command in the face of the new challenges

based on the joint defense agreement and the collective security of the member states to continue to perform at observe the steps taken by the g 20 under the presidency of the kingdom of saudi arabia to alleviate the consequences of the pandemic including providing assistance to the underprivileged states namely in the health sector to reinforce the blocs regional and international role by unifying our political stances and. our efforts to the best interests of our respective peoples this summit has emphasized the keenness of the member states rulers to live up to the aspirations of our respective peoples and

to continue to work towards cementing those joint gulf cooperation council should this day on the 5th of january 2021. as known to you this is the 41st session. the 1st decade of the history of our block. rulers have at this a number of issues and i arrived at the number of resolution namely the welfare and development programs namely to adopt the. amended consumer protection law to endorse the payment connection

system among the member states to endorse the anti. pandemic laws for. the uniform low for the independence or protection of the water wealth of the g.c.c. member states the uniform law of the all again organic materials to endorse the guidelines of the urban and environment saranda next to. the future plans for urban development to adopt the g.c.c. strategy for the civil service and development of human resources the uniform guidelines for enabling persons with disability and volunteer work 10th. of the uniform guidelines for the public health on emergency cases to

indorse also the guidelines for emergency and the sponsors and cases of emergency to instruct the relevant and institutions and the relevant member states to continue to coordinate and cooperate with the respective health sectors the health sectors and the member states will be the top of a 32 act to give them also there are 30 to carry out an internet use any m.m.s. in future. invigorated the alarming. warning health system to insert the member states to benefit by the guidelines in preparing the top paying. warning system and also to empower the health ministers to follow on with their case to establish the gulf centers

for combating and fighting disease on though there are a lot of. this is see health minister ministries and the specter of countries and who will be responsible for the supervision of this center. with respect to peyton. and dos and their amended pay to law. this is brief of their is illusions handed down in another up to today by the supreme council of the summit. it's time now to open the floor for questions. which are. my question addressed to it is the secretary general as well as the saudi foreign minister is their dream and reach today.

declaration for the restoration of elations between qatar and the 4 states secures me your highness yes by the dates of god today. on the prudence and wisdom of our leaders with the participation of our brothers in a shaped is considered to be an e.u. beginning as we close totally close this dark chapter and pen and use late in our future cooperation for it will be a cornerstone for the welfare of the entire region. thank you very much i just wanted to follow up on not question and for either of you and then as

a specific question for your highness. you just said that. with this announcement the whole full relations will return between qatar and the 4 nations and we understand that yesterday a 1st step in that direction airspace was was reopened borders were reopened with saudi arabia and i'm wondering if the other countries are doing the same thing and if the other parts of the boycott that were imposed like. withdrawing about stairs acing citizens to leave cutting trade ties all those other things are those being restored is there a time if not immediately is there a timeline for that and are there any concessions from qatar there were 13 demands made of cut or was there been anything in return that qatar as has pledged to do or is already done and in that specific question just for reference i said is that

this. there have been efforts to achieve this this breakthrough for many years and then it's interesting that it comes. to weeks before president elect biden takes over from president trump and should have been a lot of speculation of course about whether this. transition has been part of the incentive is saudi arabia willing to maybe take a deal that was that it wasn't willing to take previously. you know restoring these ties with limited concessions because it wants to resolve this crisis as as the new administration takes over thank you thank you. my answer to both of the questions you want i think. the goal of the correlation is has achieved a settlement of all issues outstanding in a way that is entirely satisfied factory to all nations involved all the countries

involved we are extremely pleased with having been able to achieve this very important breakthrough that we believe will contribute very much to the stability security of all our nations in the region we we have as you mentioned been working very hard towards achieving this breakthrough for many years and the timing is. just that it's that we were finally able to reach that conclusion and reach. a mechanism that was satisfactory to everyone and i am happy to report that we are at a place where everyone is satisfied and happy and yes all the outstanding. whether it's turning of diplomatic relations flights etc all of that will now go back to normal. and it's time to start. egypt's alarm newspaper.

i began by calling graduating all of us for the success of this summit because it. against the backdrop of the complicated deal political difficulties and i met the rising tension within that got of the crisis in libya and the war in yemen to what degree this agreement would contribute to resolving old these issues that are. posing threats to the united security a 2nd question is that a possibility and the future for the gulf.