Oman’s Sultan in UAE to Strengthen Bilateral Relations, Cooperation

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan receives Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq at the Presidential Airport in Abu Dhabi (Reuters)
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan receives Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq at the Presidential Airport in Abu Dhabi (Reuters)
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Oman’s Sultan in UAE to Strengthen Bilateral Relations, Cooperation

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan receives Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq at the Presidential Airport in Abu Dhabi (Reuters)
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan receives Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq at the Presidential Airport in Abu Dhabi (Reuters)

Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan discussed on Monday strengthening bilateral relations and cooperation to serve mutual interests and meet the aspirations of their peoples for development and prosperity.
The Sultan of Oman has arrived in the UAE on a state visit. He was received by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed at the Presidential Airport in Abu Dhabi.
The two leaders then headed to Qasr Al Watan, where they reviewed regional and international issues of common interest.
The two sides tackled relations between the two countries, mainly economic investments and trade areas, which have witnessed significant advancement in recent years.
They also addressed joint Gulf action in light of the challenges the region is witnessing and highlighted its importance in achieving the mutual interests of Gulf Cooperation Council countries and their peoples while bolstering regional security and stability.
At the meeting, the two leaders then discussed several regional and international issues of common interest, most notably the developments in the Middle East and the efforts to contain tensions and prevent escalation.
They addressed the need for self-restraint to spare the region from new crises that affect all and hinder cooperation and development for the benefit of its peoples.
“Relations between the UAE and Oman are historical and characterized by a unique social and cultural fabric distinguished by close family ties, good neighborliness, and effective cooperation and integration,” Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed said.
“I ask God Almighty to have mercy on the late Sheikh Zayed and the late Sultan Qaboos, who established an original approach in building strong fraternal relations fortified by goodwill and wisdom,” the Emirati President said.
He underscored his confidence that social cohesion between the UAE and Oman represents a firm foundation upon which the two countries can continue to build exemplary relations.
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed noted that economic relations are an important and supportive path for bilateral cooperation and have witnessed continuous development over the years, culminating in various economic and strategic partnerships in many fields.
“The UAE and Oman maintain ambitions to continue exploring and developing economic opportunities for the benefit of the two countries and peoples,” he added.
The President then stressed that joint Gulf action will remain an impenetrable fortress in the face of regional and global developments and challenges.
He said the UAE believes in the principle of collective action and solidarity in a way that preserves the interests of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, enhances its regional and international role, meets the aspirations of its peoples for continued progress and prosperity, and supports regional and global peace and stability.
For his part, Sultan Haitham bin Tariq expressed his satisfaction with the constructive strategic partnership between Oman and the UAE, which represents a new and promising chapter for strategic investment projects and close cooperation in various fields.
He praised the role of both countries’ officials in achieving a shared vision of cooperation on the ground by beginning to implement joint projects in strategic sectors, especially in the field of renewable energy, and launching a railway project to connect the Sultanate of Oman to the UAE train network, in addition to strengthening electrical interconnectivity, among other initiatives.
During their meeting, the two leaders witnessed the signing of several memorandums of understanding and agreements which span a wide range of sectors, including investment, renewable energy, sustainability, railways, technology, and education.

 

 



Bilateral Consultations Boost Coordination Between Riyadh, Washington

The Saudi Foreign Minister’s official US visit caps week of high-level coordination between the two countries (Saudi Foreign Ministry)
The Saudi Foreign Minister’s official US visit caps week of high-level coordination between the two countries (Saudi Foreign Ministry)
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Bilateral Consultations Boost Coordination Between Riyadh, Washington

The Saudi Foreign Minister’s official US visit caps week of high-level coordination between the two countries (Saudi Foreign Ministry)
The Saudi Foreign Minister’s official US visit caps week of high-level coordination between the two countries (Saudi Foreign Ministry)

Saudi-US coordination has seen a notable uptick in recent days, with five rounds of bilateral consultations held over the span of a week. The talks, which covered political, defense, and security issues, as well as regional and international developments, reflect deepening engagement between the two allies.

The surge in activity comes amid growing momentum in the relationship, with Riyadh hosting multiple American delegations in recent weeks, including repeated visits by the US Secretary of State.

The heightened diplomatic exchange also precedes a planned visit by US President Donald Trump to Saudi Arabia in May — his first overseas trip during his second term in office.

As part of this intensified coordination, US Central Command chief Gen. Erik Kurilla conducted a five-day tour of the region from April 1 to 5, visiting five countries. He spent two days in Saudi Arabia, where he met with Saudi Chief of General Staff Gen. Fayyad Al-Ruwaili late last week.

Kurilla, Al-Ruwayli, and the other leaders discussed shared security concerns, the importance of joint readiness and interoperability, and their mutual commitment to addressing regional threats, according to a statement released by USCENTCOM.

Earlier this week, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji met with Chargé d'Affaires ad interim of the US to the Kingdom Alison Dilworth at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Riyadh.

According to the Saudi Foreign Ministry, the two officials reviewed bilateral relations and discussed key regional and international developments, along with efforts to address them.

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman also received a phone call from US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on Monday.
They discussed defense cooperation between the two countries.

They also spoke about regional developments and shared efforts to enhance security and stability in the region and beyond.
The two officials reviewed the state of Saudi-US defense ties and explored prospects for deeper cooperation, according to a readout of the call.

Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said in a statement that the defense chiefs discussed the regional security landscape, including progress in US operations aimed at degrading Houthi capabilities and ensuring freedom of navigation in the Red Sea.

Both sides also discussed opportunities to expand the US-Saudi partnership in defense affairs and agreed to maintain close communication going forward.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan arrived in Washington on an official visit, where he met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday at the State Department.

The two top diplomats discussed developments in Gaza, Sudan, Yemen, and the Russia-Ukraine war, exchanging views on ways to support international peace and security. They also explored options to strengthen coordination and cooperation on regional and global issues of mutual concern.

The talks also focused on the strategic ties between the two countries and opportunities to deepen them across various sectors.

In a statement, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said Rubio thanked Saudi Arabia for its efforts to help mediate peace between Russia and Ukraine, bolster economic and defense cooperation, counter Houthi threats in the region, and restore freedom of navigation in the Red Sea.

Bruce added that the ministers also discussed diplomatic efforts aimed at securing the release of hostages in Gaza and achieving a permanent ceasefire that includes the full disarmament of Hamas and dismantling of its authority.

The statement said Prince Faisal and Rubio agreed on the need for Sudan’s armed forces and the Rapid Support Forces to resume peace talks, protect civilians, open humanitarian corridors, and return to civilian rule.

According to Ahmed Al-Ibrahim, an expert in US and international affairs, Saudi-US coordination is currently experiencing one of its strongest phases.

He told Asharq Al-Awsat that global and regional dynamics are pushing both sides to intensify consultation and cooperation - a trend reflected in five rounds of talks held in less than a week.

Al-Ibrahim said the heightened level of coordination underscores Saudi Arabia’s strategic importance to both regional and global peace and security, as well as to Washington’s foreign policy priorities.

Key issues such as freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, the war in Gaza, Sudan, and developments in Syria and Lebanon, highlight Riyadh’s central role, he noted.

He added that two of the most pressing US foreign policy challenges - the war in Gaza and the conflict in Ukraine - are seeing significant Saudi engagement.

Riyadh, he said, has been actively advocating for a ceasefire in Gaza and has taken a leading role in hosting and supporting peace talks related to the Ukraine war, along with broader Russian-American relations.