- Railway agreement signed by MBS and the emir of Qatar.
- The high-speed train project will be completed in six years.
- The train is expected to serve about 10 million passengers a year.
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia and Qatar on Monday signed an agreement to build a high-speed train connecting the capitals of Gulf countries, marking the latest sign of improving ties between the two nations that were once deeply at odds.
According to an official Saudi press release, the “high-speed electric passenger railway” would connect Riyadh and Doha.
The Saudi cities of Al-Hofuf and Dammam are also expected to be part of the network.
The train would reach speeds of over 300 kilometers per hour (186 mph) and the trip would take approximately two hours between the two capitals.
A direct flight between the cities takes about 90 minutes.
The project, which will be completed in six years, is expected to serve 10 million passengers a year, according to the statement.
The agreement was signed by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar during the latter’s visit to Riyadh.
The agreement is just the latest in a series of measures that mark the dramatic improvement in ties between the Gulf countries in recent years.
Saudi Arabia and its allies, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt, cut all diplomatic and transportation ties with Qatar in June 2017.
Relations were fully restored in January 2021 after a summit in the Saudi desert city of AlUla.
Prince Mohammed visited Doha in December 2021 for the first time since the thaw in relations, as part of a Gulf regional tour.
Since then, the leaders of the two monarchies have met regularly and joined forces to support diplomatic initiatives, including calls for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Riyadh also threw its support behind Qatar following the Israeli attacks on Doha over the summer.
