The Foreign Minister arrives in Muscat to chair the Saudi-Omani Coordination Council
His Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, Minister of Foreign Affairs, arrived today in Muscat, the capital of Oman, on an official visit aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two brotherly countries. He was received upon arrival at Muscat International Airport by His Excellency Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamoud Al Busaidi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Sultanate of Oman, and a number of senior officials.
This visit comes as His Highness heads the Saudi side in the third meeting of the Saudi-Omani Coordination Council, which is a pivotal strategic platform for developing bilateral relations and pushing them towards broader horizons, in order to achieve the aspirations of the two leaderships and the two brotherly peoples.
The importance of the Saudi-Omani Coordination Council
This meeting is of particular importance given the rapid development of Saudi-Omani relations. The council aims to frame joint action and deepen partnership across various political, security, economic, and investment fields. Through this session, both sides seek to review the progress made in previous sessions and explore ways to overcome obstacles to ensure the implementation of agreed-upon initiatives.
Historical background and deep-rooted relationships
The relationship between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Sultanate of Oman is based on a deep historical legacy and close social and cultural ties. This relationship has witnessed a qualitative leap since the establishment of the Saudi-Omani Coordination Council, the minutes of which were signed during His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq's historic visit to the Kingdom and his meeting with the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in NEOM in 2021.
Integrating economic visions: 2030 and 2040
The third meeting of the council comes at a time when the development visions of the two countries converge, represented by "Saudi Vision 2030" and "Oman Vision 2040." Both sides are focused on maximizing the benefits of available investment opportunities, particularly after the opening of the direct land route linking the two countries across the Empty Quarter desert, which has significantly facilitated bilateral trade and logistics, thus enhancing economic integration and increasing the volume of trade exchange.
Coordination of regional and international positions
In addition to economic matters, the Council provides a crucial platform for coordinating political positions on regional and international issues of mutual interest. Riyadh and Muscat work in close harmony to enhance security and stability in the Gulf and the Middle East, and to support peace efforts, reflecting the wisdom of both leaderships and their unwavering commitment to upholding the principles of good neighborliness and joint Gulf action.
