Qatar receives GCC summit invitation letter from Saudi King Salman

Although not much is expected from the talks, the two sides' willingness to engage in dialogue is a “small step” towards a more positive relationship, said Michael Stephens, research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies. “I think it’s actually a positive sign," he said. "No matter what it goes through – and even if it’s a moribund institution politically – I think the framework of the GCC would still survive.”