UK, Oman Seek to Promote Regional Stability, Reduce Tension

Oman’s Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr al Busaidi meets with British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Development David Cameron in Muscat. (Oman's Foreign Ministry)
Oman’s Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr al Busaidi meets with British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Development David Cameron in Muscat. (Oman's Foreign Ministry)
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UK, Oman Seek to Promote Regional Stability, Reduce Tension

Oman’s Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr al Busaidi meets with British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Development David Cameron in Muscat. (Oman's Foreign Ministry)
Oman’s Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr al Busaidi meets with British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Development David Cameron in Muscat. (Oman's Foreign Ministry)

British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Development David Cameron stressed on Wednesday that his country and Oman are working together to promote regional stability in the Middle East and reduce tensions.

Cameron held talks with Oman’s Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr al Busaidi in Muscat.

Discussions focused on the Palestinian cause, ceasefire efforts, and a lasting humanitarian truce in the Gaza Strip.

The meeting discussed regional developments, particularly the Palestinian issue and efforts to support the ceasefire, by achieving a permanent humanitarian truce in the Gaza Strip and allowing the entry of relief materials and aid of all kinds, said Oman's Foreign Ministry in a statement on X.

The meeting also discussed the release of hostages and affirmative action to implement the international consensus for the two-state solution by establishing an independent Palestinian state under international law.

"The UK and Oman are working together to promote regional stability in the Middle East and reduce tensions. We continue to work with partners on a route to a sustainable ceasefire and longer-term political solutions," Cameron said in a post on X.

Moreover, Cameron held talks with Minister of the Royal Office Gen. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Nuamani.

During the meeting, the two sides reviewed several regional and international issues. They also highlighted areas of joint cooperation in a bid to serve joint interests, according to Oman News Agency.

Moreover, they underscored the friendly relations between Oman and the UK.

Last week, Cameron met with leaders in Israel, the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Qatar, and Türkiye.

The Foreign Secretary will reiterate with regional leaders the UK’s call for an immediate pause in the conflict in Gaza to allow significantly more aid in and hostages out, then progress towards a sustainable ceasefire, the UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Office has said.

“The visit will be an opportunity to move forward the Foreign Secretary’s work to establish a Contact Group to be established between the US, UK, key EU, Gulf and Arab countries and Türkiye, to use a pause in fighting to build momentum towards a lasting solution.”

“The UK's position is clear: Gaza is occupied Palestinian territory and will be part of the future Palestinian state. Settlements are illegal. No Palestinian should be threatened with forcible displacement or relocation,” stressed the Office.

Cameron will call for stability over ongoing Houthi attacks in the Red Sea and the de-escalating of tensions in the region, the Office added.

The Houthi attacks on international shipping will be a major focus of his discussions. “The Foreign Secretary will reiterate the UK’s commitment to getting life-saving aid into Yemen and outline the action the UK is taking to deter the Houthis targeting ships in the Red Sea.”



GCC-Central Asia Strategic Dialogue Focuses on Strengthening Cooperation

The Third Ministerial Meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council-Central Asia Strategic Dialogue held in Kuwait. Photo: KUNA
The Third Ministerial Meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council-Central Asia Strategic Dialogue held in Kuwait. Photo: KUNA
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GCC-Central Asia Strategic Dialogue Focuses on Strengthening Cooperation

The Third Ministerial Meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council-Central Asia Strategic Dialogue held in Kuwait. Photo: KUNA
The Third Ministerial Meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council-Central Asia Strategic Dialogue held in Kuwait. Photo: KUNA

Gulf Cooperation Council foreign ministers and their counterparts from Central Asia discussed in Kuwait on Wednesday consolidating cooperation in several fields.

The Third Ministerial Meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council-Central Asia Strategic Dialogue focused on enhancing the strong relations between the GCC and Central Asian countries and discussed a joint action plan to advance cooperation in the political, economic, cultural, and tourism sectors.
Preparations were also reviewed for the upcoming summit between the GCC and Central Asian countries, scheduled to take place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, next month. This summit follows the inaugural one held in Saudi Arabia in 2023.

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah attended the meeting.

Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya said the meeting marks a significant milestone in establishing a sustainable partnership based on mutual respect and shared interests.

Speaking at a joint press conference with GCC Secretary-General Jassem Al-Budaiwi after the meeting, Al-Yahya, current President of the GCC Ministerial Council, highlighted the growing historical, cultural, and human ties between the two regions, and emphasized the shared political will to strengthen strategic cooperation.

The meeting focused on several key areas of priority, including enhancing economic and trade cooperation, encouraging investment, and developing sectors such as transport and energy, clean energy transitions, green economies, and modern technologies, Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) reported.

Discussions also focused on food and water security, digital infrastructure, and artificial intelligence, aiming to support stability and sustainable development.

On political and security matters, the foreign minister stressed the importance of consultation and coordination on shared challenges, especially in combating terrorism, extremism, and cyber threats, and praised the GCC Secretariat for its role in advancing joint action mechanisms.

Regarding regional and international issues, Al-Yahya reaffirmed the GCC's steadfast support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including the establishment of an independent state based on the 1967 border with East Jerusalem as its capital.

On his part, Al-Budaiwi said that both the GCC and Central Asian states are committed to advancing cooperation across various sectors, as outlined in the Joint Action Plan for 2023-27.

He stated that the meeting included an exchange of views on regional and global developments, particularly the Israeli occupation's violations against the Palestinian people, and reiterated the GCC's rejection of these violations and called on the international community to act decisively in support of Palestinian rights, including the establishment of a sovereign state.