Omani Saudi Coordination Council holds first meeting
The Omani-Saudi Coordination Council held its first meeting in Muscat today. The meeting was jointly chaired by Sayyid Badr Albusaidi, Oman's Foreign Minister and Prince Faisal Farhan Al Saud, Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The meeting reviewed relations between Oman and Saudi Arabia and expressed satisfaction with the positive results achieved. The meeting agreed that it was important to develop coordination and shape joint positions on regional and international issues of common interest.
In his speech, Sayyid Badr said that, over the past few years, Omani-Saudi relations have grown steadily in various fields, with new investment initiatives and commercial activities expanded.
The Minister added that the opening of the Rub al Khali land port between the two countries in 2022 had added momentum to transport between the two countries.
Sayyid Badr said that alternative energy projects and hydrogen production are at the forefront of the two countries' common interests. This is in addition, he said to cooperation in the sectors of energy, logistics, maritime transport and infrastructure.
Sayyid Badr stressed the need to maximise benefits from the rich natural resources of the two countries, as well as their strategic geographical locations.
He said he was confident that joint initiatives for cooperation can be implemented through the framework of the Omani-Saudi Coordination Council, its subcommittees, its general secretariat and follow-up mechanisms.
Prince Faisal said that Saudi-Omani relations are witnessing steady growth under the patronage of the leaderships of the two countries. Steps have been taken, he added, to consolidate cooperation and enhance the two countries’ regional and international role to contribute to security and stability in the region, and to achieve the aspirations of the two countries’ peoples.
Prince Faisal added that the Council constitutes a platform for joint action to maximise benefits for Oman and Saudi Arabia from investment. He said that wide ranging consensus on issues demonstrates the importance of maintaining coordination on bilateral, regional and international issues and enhancing political consultation on matters of common interest.
He added that the Coordination Council and its subcommittees (handling political, security, economic and investment affairs) provide an effective instrument for deepening cooperation in tackling various issues, including combating terrorism, protecting waterways and developing sources of renewable and clean energy.
The heads of the Council’s subcommittees and its secretariat general took part in the meeting.
The meeting was held in response to the directives of the two countries leaders’ to enhance cooperation to consolidate the deep-rooted relations between Oman and Saudi Arabia and to meet the aspirations of their peoples.
This is an unofficial English version of an Arabic report. To view the official Arabic text, click here.
