Brussels: In honour of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, King Phillippe Leopold Louis Marie, King of the Belgians and his spouse Queen Mathilde Marie Christine Ghislaine, Queen of the Belgians hosted an official dinner at Royal Castle of Laeken.
Prior to the dinner, the official delegation accompanying His Majesty the Sultan shook hands with the King and Queen of the Belgians, while members of the Belgian side shook hands with His Majesty.
After that, the Belgian Royal Anthem and the Omani Royal Anthem were played.
Then, His Majesty the Sultan delivered a speech on this occasion. It reads as follows:
“Your Majesties,
We are so pleased to visit your great country and to be here with you in beautiful Brussels. We take immense pride and deep satisfaction in expressing our heartfelt gratitude for the highly constructive and insightful dialogue, as well as the comprehensive and fruitful consultations we have had the privilege of engaging in with Your Majesty and the Prime Minister today.
These discussions have truly reflected a spirt of collaboration and mutual understanding, which will pave the way for meaningful progress and shared aspirations.
The deep-rooted relations between our two countries is not only strong but well-established. These relations have been reinforced and continue to flourish through high-level visits, most notably marked by Your Majesty's esteemed visit to Oman in February 2022. This visit was a milestone in our relations and witnessed the official inauguration of Duqm Port. It also marked the ceremonial launch of the Hyport's Green Hydrogen Production Project, symbolizing a new era of cooperation and sustainable development.
In some ways, it seems as though just weeks have passed since your last visit.
But when I reflect upon all that have been accomplished, I am truly delighted that such enormous progress has been achieved just within the last two years.
Since then, our political, cultural, and economic cooperation has not only grown, but has also evolved into a robust partnership that fosters mutual understating and respect.
Belgium is now Oman's second biggest trading partner in the EU, and our bilateral trade continues to expand. Through joint efforts and a commitment to common goals, we have built a dynamic relationship that continues to flourish and adapt to the challenges and opportunities of our time.
The clearest demonstration of our achievements is reflected in the port and of Duqm, which has witnessed a tremendous transform since first partnering with the Port of Antwerp in 2010. Indeed, Duqm has blossomed since, in terms of innovation, infrastructure, and connectivity.
Looking ahead, we hope our shared commitment to international norms will enable us together to overcome global challenges, from humanitarian crises to climate change and to upholding international law.
So, Your Majesties, at the end, we must express our profound appreciation that Oman can count Belgium as a dear friend.
Thank you for your hospitality, and for the support you have extended to Oman, during this visit and throughout our flourishing journey of friendship. We hope to have the privilege of welcoming your Majesties back once again to Muscat very soon to continue celebrating the progress of our joint partnership.
Thank you, Your Majesties”.
On his turn, the King of the Belgians delivered a speech reading as follows:
“Your Majesty, the history of your country is as vast and deep as the ocean it borders. With over three thousand kilometres of coastline and enjoying a strategic position, Oman is the link between East and West. For centuries, your people have braved unforgiving seas to develop trade links, even in the most faraway places. This underscores just how important cultural and commercial exchanges with the rest of the world were, and continue to be. This unique environment between seas, mountains and vast stretches of desert was the cradle of the flourishing of a pacifist culture, deeply rooted in hospitality and respect for tradition”.
The King of the Belgians further added: “Your Majesty, our visit in February 2022 and the welcome you gave us was an opportunity to strengthen the economic and diplomatic ties between our two countries.
It is in this spirit that I am honoured by your visit to Belgium and look forward to seeing our relations develop. Let us jointly develop other areas of mutual interest, including innovation, defence, space industry and observation, health, academic and cultural exchanges.
It gives me great satisfaction to see the strategic partnership forged almost ten years ago with the Port of Duqm being continued between Asyad and the Consortium Antwerp Port. More recently, I had the pleasure of attending the conclusion of the agreement between DEME and OQ for the development of green hydrogen. These two major projects are the fruits of an ambitious and innovative partnership between Belgium and Oman. The strategic position of the Port of Duqm and its ambition to become a global energy hub make it an essential crossroads for trade between Europe and Asia.
Your Majesty, the global challenges we face today, be it on the European continent or in the Middle East, prompt us to strengthen our relationship more than ever. Our collective security is threatened by tensions and conflicts all around us.
While strengthening our defence capabilities, both our countries firmly stand for the respect for international law, with the final aim of maintaining global stability.
As a haven of peace and stability, the Sultanate of Oman has always acted to promote consensus.
Your country is an architect of peace, working discreetly to promote tolerance and dialogue in a region blighted by numerous conflicts. You are open to the views of others, without abandoning the values of justice and harmony you embody.
The model of coexistence and harmony that characterises your society should be a source of inspiration to all in these particularly challenging times.
Your keen sense of discreet and effective mediation, at which you are so adept, as well as your detailed understanding of the forces at work in the region, was put to good use to ensure the safety of one of our compatriots at a moment of great danger.
Thanks to your diplomacy, his life and those of other Europeans was saved. We will be forever grateful”.
The dinner was attended by members of the official delegation accompanying His Majesty the Sultan and some senior officials in the Kingdom of Belgium.
Some musical pieces were played during the dinner.
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