Bahrain Mirror (Exclusive): Despite the ferocity the Bahraini regime shows at home, it is confirmed day in and day out that it has no substantial value at the regional and global level.

The only value that the authorities led by Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa has is associating themselves with one of the powerful states, and this is the route Bahrain has really chosen. However, the powerful states have recently decided to undo this bond and show the real value of the Bahraini authorities.

After Saudi Arabia reconciled with Qatar at the Gulf Al-Ula summit which was held in Saudi Arabia, the UAE is bilaterally holding talks with Qatar, which excluded Bahrain and did not respond to its correspondence regarding launching a dialogue to complete the implementation of Al-Ula Summit agreement.

The UAE's acceptance of holding a bilateral dialogue with Qatar, at a time Doha refuses to open the door for Manama, an ally of the UAE, can be seen as a new blow to a fragile regime at the regional level. Most observers see it as a dependent regime that only "retweets" the decisions issued by Riyadh and Abu Dhabi, and remains silent and waits when no one asks it to do anything.

On Monday, February 22, 2021, the UAE and Qatar held discussions in Kuwait on "joint mechanisms and procedures to implement Al-Ula Declaration on Gulf Reconciliation"

"Official delegations representing the United Arab Emirates and the State of Qatar met (Monday) in the brotherly State of Kuwait in the first meeting between the two sides to follow up on the Al-Ula Declaration," the Emirates News Agency reported.

"The two sides discussed joint mechanisms and procedures to implement the Al-Ula Declaration and underscored the importance of preserving Gulf unity, developing joint action in the interest of Gulf Cooperation Council countries and their citizens, and achieving stability and prosperity in the region."

No statements were issued by Qatar and Kuwait in this regard.

Recently, the media noted the low level of reception of Bahrain's King Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi, which he visited on February 16, where he was received by Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed, who holds no government post. Abu Dhabi's crown prince was even absent from receiving the Bahraini king, as not a single top official showed up. This is considered the first visit of the king to the UAE post-Al-Ula agreement, which started the re-establishment of relations between these states that shared a siege imposed on Qatar, including Bahrain.

On Wednesday, February 18, Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al-Zayani called on Doha again to accept a bilateral dialogue.

The Minister talked during a remote joint government parliamentary meeting, in the presence of the presidents of the House of Representatives and Shura Council, "about the call for bilateral talks with Qatar. It became clear through correspondence with the Secretary-General of the Cooperation Council that the reason for the delay of the Qatari response is to announce via media the invitation to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar to send an official delegation to hold bilateral talks between the two countries as soon as possible in implementation of the Al-Ula statement."

"This measure reflects the good will of the Kingdom of Bahrain and its constant commitment to diplomatic traditions and customs," he added.

"The invitation is still valid. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to request bilateral talks between the two countries to resolve outstanding issues between both countries, in compliance with the Al-Ula statement and to maintain the cohesion of the Cooperation Council and strengthen its progress."

One week ago (February 13, 2021), Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said his country was in the process of setting a date with the Qatari side on assessing the outcome of the Gulf Reconciliation Summit held in Saudi Arabia a month ago. Doha has not yet commented on the Egyptian statement.

It is noteworthy that the 41st Gulf Summit statement issued at Al-Ula summit, west of Saudi Arabia, on January 5, announced the end of a severe Gulf crisis that started on June 5, 2017 among Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt.

Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain had severed their relations with Qatar and imposed a land, air and sea siege, claiming it supports terrorism, which Doha denied.

Arabic Version