MUSCAT — Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Bin Farhan and his Omani counterpart Sayyid Badr Albusaidi, have co-chaired on Monday, in Muscat, the first meeting of the Saudi-Omani Coordination Council. The council was held with the participation of officials, heads of subcommittees emanating from the council, and the heads of the General Secretariat of the Saudi-Omani Coordination Council. Prince Faisal indicated during his speech in the meeting that the Saudi-Omani relations are proceeding under the care of two countries' leaders at a steady pace towards consolidating cooperation and enhancing the regional and international role. The consolidation is in a way that contributes in establishing security and stability in the region, and achieving the aspirations of both countries' people. The establishment of the partnership council, the holding of its first meeting, and its joint committees represent an effective platform that frames the work of the two countries, as well as invests in the available capabilities which Saudi Arabia and Oman enjoy in maximizing common benefits and interests, Prince Faisal said. The Saudi foreign minister stressed that the agreed views on all issues clarify the importance of continuing ongoing coordination on bilateral, regional and international issues, and strengthening political consultation on all issues of common interest. He indicated that Saudi Arabia is the third trading partner of Oman, and the second largest country that receives Omani exports. The trade growth between the two countries witnessed a surge during 2022 by 245%, the Saudi minister said, noting that its volume, over the past 5 years, amounted to approximately $22 billion. He also added that the Coordination Council and its subcommittees emanating in the political, security, economic and investment fields are considered as an effective tool for deepening Saudi-Oman cooperation, including combating terrorism, protecting waterways, renewable and clean energy. During the meeting, the Saudi and Omani sides reviewed the distinguished bilateral relations existing between both of the countries. They also stressed the importance of the continuation of supporting and developing the bilateral coordination, and to create common positions towards the regional and international issues of common interest. Prince Faisal and Albusaidi expressed their satisfaction with what was reached in the subcommittee meetings, which resulted in the approval of 55 initiatives that would enhance cooperation between the Kingdom and the Sultanate in all fields that would also advance their relations to broader horizons. The two sides stressed the importance of continuing to support and develop the work of the council and its subcommittees, and the necessity of permanent coordination between the two sides. This comes with the aim of contributing to enhancing its effectiveness as an institutional tool that frames the work of bilateral cooperation between the two countries in various fields. The two sides also stressed the importance of following up on the implementation of the recommendations and initiatives of the subcommittees contained in the minutes of their meetings held during the current year 2023, which were carried out by the heads of the subcommittees on both sides with the support and assistance of the General Secretariat of the Council. At the conclusion of the meeting, Prince Faisal and Albusaidi expressed their thanks for the efforts of the Council's General Secretariat. The Saudi foreign minister also expressed his aspiration for Saudi Arabia to host the second meeting of the Council. The date that will be agreed upon between the Saudi and Omani sides to hold the second meeting will be determined through the Council's General Secretariat. The holding of the council comes as an embodiment of the close historical ties that bring together Saudi Arabia, Oman and their peoples, and under the directives of the leadership of the two countries, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed Bin Salman, and the Omani Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik. It also comes in order to enhance the two countries' established relations and existing cooperation in all fields and levels, in a way that meets the aspirations of both countries' people. Furthermore, the convening of the council comes in line with the objectives of establishing the Saudi-Omani Coordination Council, represented in consolidating cooperation, interconnection and integration between the two countries, through its subcommittees emanating from it in various political, security, economic, investment, cultural, media, tourism, social and other fields. It is worth mentioning that the Council was established on July 11, 2021, between the governments of Saudi Arabia and Oman. There are five subcommittees emerging from the Council, namely the Political and Diplomatic Coordination Committee, the Security and Justice Coordination Committee, the Coordination Committee in the fields of culture, media, tourism and social development. Moreover, it includes the Coordination Committee in the fields of economy, trade and industry, and the Coordination Committee in the fields of energy, investment, environment and infrastructure.
