Abu Dhabi – Mubasher: Saudi Arabia will host the 39th annual GCC summit amid the continuation of Qatar’s crisis.

Anwar Gargash, the UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, said that holding the summit on time shows the political will of the member states to maintain unity and their ability to address the challenges.

Oman will preside over the coming summit, which will take place on Sunday, 9 December.

Qatar’s emir Tamim Al Thani received a letter from Saudi Arabia's King Salman in the first correspondence since the boycott in June 2017.

Since 5 June 2017, Qatar has been facing outflows of foreign customers' deposits after four Arab countries led by Saudi Arabia cut their diplomatic and trade ties with the gas-rich state, accusing Qatar of financing terrorism. Doha forcefully denies the charges.

Gargash posted on Twitter that in case Qatar stops supporting terrorism and interference in the region, the GCC will put an end for this crisis and create a joint gulf business.

He added that the current policies enabled the council to continue its mission in both technical and administrative meetings.

All GCC nations are negatively affected because of Qatar’s policies, Gargash said.

Member states in the GCC still share enough economic and security challenges and working together serves their individual interests, he noted.

In 2017, Qatar did not participate in the 38th GCC Summit held in a tense and complicated environment amid the Arab rift.