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Oman’s FM to Asharq Al-Awsat: Sultan Haitham’s Visit to Iran Will Positively Impact Region

Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in Muscat. (ONA file photo)
Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in Muscat. (ONA file photo)
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Oman’s FM to Asharq Al-Awsat: Sultan Haitham’s Visit to Iran Will Positively Impact Region

Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in Muscat. (ONA file photo)
Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in Muscat. (ONA file photo)

Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq will kick off on Sunday an official two-day visit to Iran, his first since ascending the throne in 2020.

He is set to meet with President Ebrahim Raisi and a number of senior officials.

The Sultan is traveling at the head of a large delegation that includes the ministers of defense, foreign affairs, economy and investment.

The visit is taking place amid a wave of regional reconciliations, the most recent of which was the reinstatement of Syria’s membership in the Arab League and the announcement in March that Saudi Arabia and Iran were reestablishing diplomatic ties.

Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi told Asharq Al-Awsat that the region is embarking on a new positive phase in regional relations.

Cooperation and consultations must be deepened in several files and issues to consolidate the new phase, which will no doubt be at the heart of discussions between the leaders, he remarked.

He noted that Oman and Iran enjoy historic fraternal relations based on firm principles of trust and mutual respect. The visit stems from the importance the leaderships of both countries place on cooperation and consultations on various regional and international issues.

“In Oman, we are hoping that this historic visit will reflect positively on the stability and security of the region and on relations between the region’s neighbors,” the FM stressed.

“We will work on ensuring that its outcomes will be felt on the regional and international levels,” he went on to say.

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Gulf

GCC-EU Summit Poised to Back Two-State Solution

Christophe Farnaud, the European Union’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Oman (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Christophe Farnaud, the European Union’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Oman (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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GCC-EU Summit Poised to Back Two-State Solution

Christophe Farnaud, the European Union’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Oman (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Christophe Farnaud, the European Union’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Oman (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The escalating conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon are pushing the two-state solution to the forefront of the agenda for the upcoming Gulf Cooperation Council-European Union (GCC-EU) Summit in Brussels next Wednesday.
The summit is expected to back the Global Alliance for Implementing the Two-State Solution, recently launched by Saudi Arabia.
Christophe Farnaud, the EU’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Oman, said the EU and Gulf countries are united in their call for a ceasefire in Lebanon.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, he also expected a strong, unified position on establishing a Palestinian state during this first-of-its-kind summit.
Farnaud highlighted the EU’s support for a ceasefire in Gaza, the release of hostages, and humanitarian aid, while reaffirming the EU’s alignment with Arab and Gulf nations on the two-state solution.
Recognition of Palestine ‘Just a Matter of Time’
On the topic of recognizing a Palestinian state, Farnaud revealed that many EU member states have reached an initial agreement, and it's “only a matter of time” before more countries officially recognize Palestine.
Some have already done so, while others are deciding the right timing.
He praised the Saudi-led Global Alliance for Implementing the Two-State Solution, launched in September, which includes Arab, Islamic, Norwegian, and EU support.
The initiative was well received internationally, with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell commending Saudi Arabia’s efforts during a recent UN meeting on Gaza.
Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide called the two-state solution “the only reliable path to peace in the Middle East” and stressed the need to establish a Palestinian state now.
Economic Partnership, Cooperation
On the economic front, Farnaud said the summit will build on previous meetings to strengthen long-term partnerships between the EU and the Gulf. The leaders will discuss economic, investment, and trade cooperation, with trade in goods alone between the two regions reaching €170 billion.
Key Issues on the Summit Agenda
The summit will also address security, regional stability, and ongoing crises in Gaza, Lebanon, Sudan, and the Red Sea. Both sides are committed to finding diplomatic solutions to these issues.
Free Trade, Visa Cooperation
Farnaud confirmed the EU’s commitment to reaching a free trade agreement with Gulf countries, while noting that some technical issues remain. He also expressed interest in advancing talks on a potential visa waiver between the Schengen area and Gulf nations.
The summit will be the first of its kind between the GCC and the EU. Farnaud recently held positive discussions with Saudi officials to finalize preparations and set priorities for the meeting.