His Excellency the Speaker of the Shura Council, Sheikh Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al Sheikh, began an official visit to the sisterly State of Qatar, in response to a kind invitation from his Qatari counterpart, in a step that reflects the depth of the fraternal relations and the deep-rooted historical ties that unite the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the State of Qatar.
Upon his arrival at Hamad International Airport in the capital, Doha, His Excellency was received by His Excellency the Speaker of the Qatari Shura Council, Mr. Hassan bin Abdullah Al-Ghanim, the Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the State of Qatar, and a number of senior officials of the Council, which embodies the warm reception and the importance of this visit in the agenda of joint Gulf action.
Dimensions of the visit and its strategic importance
This visit comes at an important time, as Saudi-Qatari relations are witnessing steady growth and remarkable development in various fields, driven by the wise leadership of both countries, represented by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and their brother, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar.
The visit aims primarily to enhance parliamentary cooperation between the Saudi Shura Council and the Qatari Shura Council, exchange legislative experiences, and coordinate positions and visions regarding regional and international issues of common interest, particularly in international and regional parliamentary forums.
Parliamentary diplomacy and support for the Gulf Cooperation Council
Parliamentary diplomacy is gaining increasing importance as a key support for official diplomacy, with legislative and consultative councils playing a pivotal role in bridging viewpoints and strengthening communication between peoples. This visit represents another building block in the edifice of the Gulf Cooperation Council, contributing to unifying the Gulf ranks and addressing the current challenges facing the region.
The bilateral talks are expected to address ways to activate parliamentary friendship committees and discuss joint work mechanisms that serve the interests of the two brotherly countries and peoples, in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and Qatar’s National Vision 2030, which aim to achieve sustainable development and economic and social well-being.
A history of deep-rooted relationships
It is worth noting that relations between Riyadh and Doha are not limited to the official sphere, but extend to include deep social and cultural ties rooted in history. The past period has witnessed significant activation of the Saudi-Qatari Coordination Council, which serves as the primary framework for developing bilateral relations and elevating them to broader horizons of integrated strategic partnership.
