Middle East: Update on Diplomatic Relations

As a general update of the diplomatic relations among the countries in the Middle East, many countries have normalized their relations over the last year, resulting in improved mobility and availability of consular and other services. Countries which were involved in the dispute with Qatar until January 2021, and which as a result reduced their diplomatic staff or closed their consular representations, are now reopening embassies (e.g., Qatar reopened its embassy in Bahrain in April 2023 and Qatar and the United Arab Emirates announced plans for reopening). Additionally, Saudi Arabia and Iran agreed to reinstate diplomatic ties and reopen embassies and consulates in May 2023, and the Iranian government declared its intentions to improve relations with Egypt. Regional relations with Syria are also improving, with Tunisia and Syria agreeing to reopen embassies, and Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Syria and the United Arab Emirates discussing the resumption of consular services and flights. The restoration of diplomatic ties among these countries is expected to positively impact many sectors such as trade, transportation and travel, and is expected to improve the immigration situation in the region. This regional cooperation would also help regulate the socioeconomic change that countries in the Middle East are trying to achieve.