The Congressional Research Service (CRS), the research arm of the United States Congress, has affirmed that the Sultanate has been a “strategic ally” to the US since 1980 and is considered a “partner in the fight against terrorism”.
A report published by the Congress’s think-tank on its website said that during the reign of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos, the Sultanate has adopted an independent foreign policy and generally avoided military intervention in the regional conflicts and maintained strong relations with various parties. His Majesty the Sultan commands respect from the fellow GCC leaders for his military and strategic experiences, the report said.
The Royal Army of Oman is considered “one of the best-trained armies in the region”, it said.
Strategic relations between the Sultanate and the US will continue and won’t be affected in the future, the report said commending the role of Omani diplomacy in solving a number of issues such as the release of US citizens detained in some countries.
The Sultanate has continuously supported the US efforts to achieve peace in the Middle East through public support for peace agreements as well as the meetings and negotiations that are held between the parties on Palestinian issue, the report said.
The US is the fourth-biggest strategic partner of the Sultanate and the trade exchange between the two countries has reached $3 billion in 2016, of which $1.78 billion were US exports to the Sultanate and $1.1 billion imports from the Sultanate, the report said. — ONA
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
