The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit held in Riyadh on 10 December, showed some signs that relations between Qatar and the blockading countries, namely Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain, are unfreezing, even though no tangible progress was made. Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani did not attend the meeting despite having received an invitation from Saudi King Salman. Instead, Prime Minister Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani led the Qatari delegation. The meeting took place behind closed doors and lasted less than one hour and focused on regional security. A final communiqué was issued by the six countries, emphasising the need to increase military and security cooperation. King Salman called for regional unity to confront Iran and secure energy supplies and maritime channels. Qatar’s Foreign Minister declared that the crisis “has moved from stalemate to progress”, particularly due to the Kuwaiti mediation efforts.