Interview with Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi with the Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper

His Excellency Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamoud Al Busaidi, the Foreign Minister, conducted an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper, published on Saturday, July 10th, 2021, the text of which is as follows:

Saudi-Omani relations are witnessing steady growth. How would you describe this coordination in the current period, especially with the increased pace during the past months?

Coordination and consultations are always required, in particular between brothers and neighboring countries belonging to the same region, as is the case between Oman and Saudi Arabia, where they share many interests and concerns.

During the current year, you met several times with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. Among these meetings were three meetings during the past two months. What does the increase in diplomatic coordination between the two countries indicate?

The diplomatic movement and coordination between us in the past weeks came mainly in preparation for the summit meeting between the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Majesty the Sultan, may God Protect them.

What are the most prominent political issues in which the Sultanate of Oman coordinates with the Kingdom in finding common solutions to regional issues?

There are many issues, but in response to your question, I will single out the Yemeni issue, which is of great interest, whether at the Yemeni level itself, or at the regional and international levels. We are working tirelessly and continuously to stop the suffering of the brotherly Yemeni people, stop the ongoing war and help as much as possible to achieve peace and stability for this country, with which we share neighbourliness, religion, language and many cultural and social ties.

The Al-Ula summit that was held in Saudi Arabia last January witnessed Gulf reconciliation. What is the Omani role in establishing reconciliation, supporting joint Gulf action, and following up on the results of this summit?

The Omani role focused from the beginning in supporting the Kuwaiti mediation, which was led by the late Emir of Kuwait, the late Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, may God rest his soul, and completed by His Highness Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, may God protect him. We are now working with our brothers the rest of the foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Secretary-General of the Council to follow up on the results of the summit of the GCC summit that was held in Al-Ula last January to support the various tracks of Gulf cooperation as stipulated in the decisions and directives of our leaders, may God protect them, in the service of the people of the GCC countries and their future.

How does the Sultanate assess the importance of consolidating joint Gulf cooperation, especially in the economic fields, as common countries suffer from the economic effects of the decline in oil prices and the Corona pandemic?

Yes, it is clear to everyone the extent of the economic effects of both the Corona pandemic and the decline in oil prices. This is what necessitates that we now work with more focus than in the past, within the framework of one Gulf system and work together to address this crisis. The process is never easy. It may require all of us to review and update some mechanisms, policies and priorities. Some perhaps harmful and some beneficial, and we are confident in the ability of the governments and peoples of our countries to overcome these difficulties and challenges and come out of them stronger, more solid, and determined to succeed.

A few days ago, a meeting was held between Saudi and Omani officials of an economic nature to discuss opportunities to enhance cooperation between the two countries in the industrial and mining sectors. During your meeting with the Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs, you confirmed the two countries’ agreed approach to explore new horizons that support opportunities for trade, investment, tourism, and cooperation in the sectors of energy, technology, transportation and cybersecurity, health, agricultural and fisheries wealth, environment among others. How do you see the prospects for joint cooperation between the two countries?

The prospects for cooperation are great and hold many opportunities for partnership and serious feasible investment in a number of, if not all, the areas you mentioned. I believe that the logistics field will be considered one of the most important areas of cooperation and partnership, especially in light of the expected historic opening of the first direct land border crossing between the two countries and the promising logistics projects and integrative infrastructure that will follow. I expect that the coming period, God willing, will witness an important movement at the governmental private sector levels, benefiting from the Kingdom’s vision 2030 and Oman’s 2040 vision, and achieving benefits from the areas of convergence and integration between them, as well as benefiting from the advantages of the two neighboring geographical locations, the inter-connected markets between the two countries, along with their extensive network of regional and global relations.

News has emerged that the two countries have launched a Saudi-Omani Coordination Council. What are the features of this Council, and what does it add to the joint cooperation between the two countries?

Yes, it is very natural for there to be a Council similar to what exists between the Kingdom and the GCC countries, and this in itself will provide the umbrella and reference body that frames the next phase of cooperation between us, which is expected to also include the signing of many agreements and memoranda of understanding in all areas to support all areas of common interests and benefits.

The Sultanate affirms that it is working to consolidate the pillars of security, stability and peace in the region. What are the most prominent steps you are taking in resolving the Yemeni crisis?

The most prominent steps towards resolving the crisis are represented in the unlimited support for the efforts made in this regard, whether within the framework of the efforts of the United Nations through the envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen and our permanent coordination with him, and with the US envoy as well, or in terms of our support for the efforts and initiative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Riyadh Agreement. Our common goal is to end this conflict on the basis that the concerns of all parties are respected and to help them reach compromises and understandings that secure for Yemen and the Yemenis the desired goal of stability and safe coexistence for between all, and between Yemen and neighbouring countries.

The media mentioned an Omani initiative to solve the Yemeni crisis. What is this initiative based on, especially with an Omani delegation visiting Sanaa last month?

There is no Omani initiative, but rather continuous Omani efforts for reconciliation between all parties.

What are the steps being taken by the Sultanate to urge the conflicting parties in Yemen to sit at the negotiating table and settle the crisis there?

We believe that all parties want to settle the crisis and want peace. We are working to help achieve this by trying to bring the viewpoints and perspectives closer and to settle all differences between them.

Last April, Muscat received the Iranian Foreign Minister, who met with Houthi officials there as well. How would you describe the Iranian role in the Yemeni crisis?

We believe that the Iranian role is supportive of the efforts to achieve the peace and stability that we seek.

With the change of the US administration, the arrival of a new president in Iran and the approaching return to the nuclear agreement, do you expect a change in Iranian behaviour towards the countries of the region?

All behaviour is subject to change and development if the convictions and the political will to do so are available collectively and reciprocally and through dialogue and understanding. We feel that these convictions and political will are now growing, in the interests of regional security and stability.

Is the Sultanate leading efforts for a regional dialogue with Tehran?

No, we do not lead any such efforts. Any regional dialogue must stem from the countries of the region themselves. We support and encourage it for the benefit and interests of our collective nations.

On the Arab level, His Majesty the Sultan was the first Gulf leader to congratulate Syrian President Bashar al-Assad after his re-election and last March you received the Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Miqdad, as the Sultanate was his first Arab country to visit. Will the Sultanate play a pivotal role in restoring Syrian relations with the Gulf states, and in returning Damascus to the Arab League?

We support Syria's return to the Arab League and call for the resumption of fraternal relations and the unification and resolution of the Arab brotherhood at all times and in all circumstances.

A few days ago, you received a call from the new Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid. The Omani Foreign Ministry said that during the call, you emphasised the constants of the Omani peace policy, the most important of which is “the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.” On the other hand, you welcomed the Abrahamic peace agreements; will Oman take a step towards normalising its relations with Israel as the third Gulf country?

Oman believes in the principle of achieving a just, comprehensive and lasting peace on the basis of the two-state solution and this is the only option that the Arab Peace Initiative and international legitimacy affirm. We will not be the third Gulf state to normalise, as I mentioned, but we support the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and we respect the sovereign decisions of states, just as we expect others to respect our sovereign decisions.

This is an unofficial English translation of the original Arabic text. To view the official Arabic text click here.