His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik delivered a speech during an official dinner hosted by King Phillippe Leopold Louis Marie, King of the Belgians and his spouse Queen Mathilde Marie Christine Ghislaine, Queen of the Belgians at Royal Castle of Laeken.
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.
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