The Sultanate of Oman has adopted a firm stance concerning the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has persisted for over a year. During this time, His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik has undertaken state visits to the UAE and Jordan and recently received the president of Algeria.
Oman’s foreign policy is based on a strong commitment to dialogue and tolerance as a means to address various challenges and issues. This year, the country welcomed the adoption of the Pact for the Future, which outlines a framework for improving international cooperation and tackling global challenges effectively.
In a January address to the Council of Ministers, His Majesty the Sultan reviewed Oman’s relations with Arab nations and other friendly countries, emphasizing Oman’s dedication to continued collabouration in line with its foreign policy principles.
Sayyid Badr al Busaidi, the Foreign Minister, has asserted that Western powers have a moral responsibility to urge Israel to cease its aggression against Palestine and Lebanon. He noted that despite efforts from the United States and other nations to convince Israeli leadership to halt the violence and return to peace talks, these attempts have had little impact. He mentioned that peaceful leverage could be applied by Israel’s closest allies.
The minister emphasized that the roots of the ongoing crisis stem from Israel’s occupation of Palestinian land, which has led to the emergence of resistance movements. He expressed hope for renewed discussions on issues like sanctions and Iran’s nuclear programme, criticizing the approach of treating Iran as a hostile power, which he suggested aligns only with Prime Minister Netanyahu’s agenda.
On February 7, Sheikh Mishal al Ahmed al Jaber al Sabah, the Emir of Kuwait, arrived in Duqm to attend the inauguration of the Duqm Refinery and Petrochemical Industries during a state visit to Oman, where he was welcomed by His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik. Both leaders participated in the opening ceremony at the Special Economic Zone of Duqm (SEZAD).
In April, Sultan Haitham bin Tarik and UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al Nahyan held discussions at Qasr al Watan, focusing on joint investment projects in renewable energy and the inauguration of significant infrastructure projects aimed at strengthening ties between their countries. This meeting was seen as a historic opportunity to enhance the already strong relations between Oman and the UAE.
In May, Sultan Haitham met with King Abdullah II of Jordan in Amman, where they discussed advancing the cooperative relationship between their nations. In August, he also met UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London to explore ways to deepen the historical ties and bilateral cooperation between Oman and the United Kingdom.
Recently, Sultan Haitham and President Abdelmadjid Tebboune of Algeria held talks at Al Alam Palace, reviewing cooperation between their countries to foster new avenues for partnership and investment.
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