embodying the close historical ties that unite the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Sultanate of Oman and their brotherly peoples, and under the directives of the leadership of the two countries, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, Sultan of Oman, – may God protect them -, in order to enhance the established fraternal relations of the two countries and the existing cooperation in all fields and levels, in a way that meets the aspirations and ambitions of the leadership and peoples of the two countries, and in line with the lofty goals of establishing… The Saudi-Omani Coordination Council, which aims to consolidate cooperation, interconnection and integration between the two countries, through its subcommittees in various political, security, economic, investment, cultural, media, tourism, social and other fields.
The first meeting of the Saudi-Omani Coordination Council was held in the city of Muscat on Monday, November 13, 2023, under the joint chairmanship of His Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and His Excellency Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamoud Al Busaidi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Sultanate of Oman, and with the participation of Their Excellencies and Excellencies the heads of state. The subcommittees emanating from the Council and the heads of the General Secretariat of the Saudi-Omani Coordination Council.
During his speech at the meeting, His Highness the Minister of Foreign Affairs indicated that Saudi-Omani relations are proceeding under the auspices and care of the leadership of the two countries at a steady pace towards consolidating cooperation and strengthening the regional and international role, in a way that contributes to establishing security and stability in the region, and achieving the aspirations of the two peoples.
His Highness said: “The establishment of the Partnership Council and the holding of its first meeting and its joint committees represent an effective platform that frames the work of the two countries and invests in the available capabilities that the two countries enjoy in maximizing common benefits and interests,” stressing that the consensus of views on all issues demonstrates the importance of continuing ongoing coordination on Bilateral, regional and international issues, and enhancing political consultation on all issues of common interest.
He explained that the Kingdom is the third trading partner of Oman, and the second largest country that receives Omani exports. Trade between the two countries has grown by 245% over the past year, with its volume over the past five years reaching approximately 22 billion dollars.
His Highness added that the Coordination Council and its subcommittees in the political, security, economic and investment fields are an effective tool for deepening cooperation between the two countries, including combating terrorism, protecting waterways, and renewable and clean energy.
The two sides reviewed the distinguished bilateral relations existing between the two countries, and stressed the importance of continuing to support and develop bilateral coordination, and formulating common positions towards regional and international issues of common concern.
The two Presidents of the Council expressed their satisfaction with what was reached in the subcommittees meetings, which resulted in the approval of (55) initiatives that would enhance cooperation between the two countries in all fields and advance their relations to broader horizons. They stressed the importance of continuing to support and develop the work of the Council and its subcommittees and permanent coordination between them. sides; To contribute to enhancing its effectiveness as an institutional tool that frames the work of bilateral cooperation between the two brotherly countries in various fields, and that the implementation of the recommendations and initiatives of the subcommittees contained in the minutes of their meetings held during the year 2023 be followed up by the heads of the subcommittees – each in his capacity – on both sides with the support and assistance of the General Secretariat. For the council.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the two heads of the Council expressed their thanks and appreciation for the efforts of the General Secretariat of the Council and the work it is undertaking that would facilitate the work of the Council and its subcommittees. His Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, Minister of Foreign Affairs, also expressed his aspiration for the Kingdom to host the second meeting of the Council at an agreed-upon date. The two sides through its General Secretariat.
It is worth noting that the Council was established on 12/1/1442 AH corresponding to 7/11/2021 AD between the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the government of the Sultanate of Oman, and five subcommittees emerge from the Council, which are: (the Political and Diplomatic Coordination Committee, the Security and Justice Coordination Committee, and the Committee Coordination in the fields of culture, media, tourism and social development, the Coordination Committee in the fields of economy, trade and industry, and the Coordination Committee in the fields of energy, investment, environment and infrastructure).
From the Saudi side, the meeting was attended by His Excellency the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior, Dr. Hisham Al-Falih, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Political Affairs, Dr. Saud Al-Sati, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Investment, Badr Al-Badr, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy and Planning for International Economic Affairs, Al-Baraa Al-Iskandarani, the Director General of the Office of His Highness the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdul Rahman Al-Daoud, and the Acting Director of the Ministry of Economy and Planning. The Embassy of the Kingdom to the Sultanate of Oman Yousef bin Muhammad Al-Awda, Director General of the General Administration of Councils and Committees Secretariats at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Fahd Al-Harithi, and Director-General of International Cooperation at the Ministry of Culture
By Nadeem Faisal Baiga source SPA
