The inaugural meeting of the Saudi-Omani Coordination Council was held in Muscat on Monday.
The meeting was co-chaired by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Omani counterpart Badr Albusaidi.
Heads of subcommittees affiliated with the council and the heads of the General Secretariats of the Saudi-Omani Coordination Council also took part in the meeting.
Prince Faisal emphasized the continuous progress of Saudi-Omani relations, under the leaderships of both countries. These relations are steadily advancing to deepen cooperation and enhance the regional and international roles of both nations.
This concerted effort aims to foster security and stability in the region while realizing the aspirations of their respective peoples, he added.
He said the Partnership Council is an effective platform that frames the work of the two neighboring countries and invests in their available capabilities, maximizing common benefits and interests.
He stressed that the consensus of points of view on all issues demonstrates the importance of continuing ongoing coordination on bilateral, regional and international issues, and enhancing political consultation on all issues of common interest.
Prince Faisal noted that the Kingdom is Oman’s third largest trading partner, and the second largest country that receives Omani exports. Trade between the two countries has grown by 245% over the past year, with a volume over the past five years reaching approximately $22 billion.
Moreover, he remarked that Coordination Council and its subcommittees in the political, security, economic and investment fields are an effective tool for deepening cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Oman, including combating terrorism, protecting waterways, and renewable and clean energy.
The delegations reviewed the distinguished bilateral relations and stressed the importance of continuing to support and develop coordination, and formulating common positions towards regional and international issues of common concern.
The subcommittees approved 55 initiatives that would enhance cooperation between the two countries in all fields and advance their relations to broader horizons.
The FMs emphasized the crucial importance of continually supporting and developing the work of the Council, its subcommittees, and maintaining constant coordination between both sides.
They highlighted that such efforts would boost the Council's effectiveness as an institutional tool governing bilateral cooperation across various fields.
The Council has given rise to five subcommittees: the Political and Diplomatic Coordination Committee, the Security and Justice Coordination Committee, the Coordination Committee in Culture, Media, Tourism, and Social Development, the Coordination Committee in Economy, Trade, and Industry, and the Coordination Committee in Energy, Investment, Environment, and Infrastructure.
