Saudi Arabia and Oman emphasized the importance of continuing to support and develop bilateral coordination while aligning their positions on regional and international issues of common interest.
In a significant move, the first meeting of the Saudi-Omani Coordination Council was held in Muscat, Oman, with the participation of Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, and Oman’s Foreign Minister, Badr bin Hamad bin Hamoud Al Busaidi. During the meeting, they reviewed the exceptional bilateral relations between the two countries.
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, in his address, highlighted that Saudi-Omani relations are advancing under the auspices and keenness of the leadership of both nations, aiming to strengthen regional and international cooperation. This cooperation is instrumental in establishing security and stability in the region and realizing the aspirations of both peoples.
He stated, “The establishment of the Partnership Council and the convening of its first meeting, along with its joint committees, represent an effective platform that frames the work of both countries and leverages the available potentials to maximize mutual benefits and common interests.” He emphasized the importance of continuous coordination on bilateral, regional, and international issues and enhancing political consultations on matters of mutual concern.
The minister further pointed out that Saudi Arabia is Oman’s third-largest trading partner, with Oman’s exports to Saudi Arabia increasing by 245% in the past year, reaching approximately $22 billion.
Both council co-presidents expressed their satisfaction with the outcomes of the sub-committee meetings, which resulted in the endorsement of 55 initiatives aimed at enhancing cooperation across various sectors. They stressed the importance of continuous support and development of the council’s work, the sub-committees, and ongoing coordination between both sides to contribute to enhancing its effectiveness as an institutional tool that frames bilateral cooperation in various fields.
On his part, Minister Al Busaidi stated, “In recent years, Saudi-Omani relations have witnessed a qualitative shift in various fields, with continuous investment initiatives and growing trade volume.” He emphasized that the opening of the land border between the two countries in 2022 provided a significant boost to their relations and land transportation.
He added, “Alternative energy projects and hydrogen production are at the forefront of the common interests of the two countries, along with cooperation in the energy sector, logistics, maritime transport, and infrastructure.” He also emphasized maximizing the utilization of the natural resources and the strategic geographical location shared by the two sisterly countries.
The Saudi-Omani Coordination Council was established on July 11, 2021, between the governments of Saudi Arabia and the Sultanate of Oman. It comprises five sub-committees: the Political and Diplomatic Coordination Committee, the Security and Judicial Coordination Committee, the Coordination Committee for Culture, Media, Tourism, and Social Development, the Coordination Committee for Economics, Trade, and Industry, and the Coordination Committee for Energy, Investment, Environment, and Infrastructure.
