Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi affirmed on Sunday his country’s support for efforts aimed at achieving security and stability in Syria, and respecting its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
During a meeting in Muscat with his Syrian counterpart, Asaad Hassan Al-Shaibani, Al Busaidi emphasized the strength of the historical relations binding the two countries and the mutual keenness to support and enhance pathways of cooperation in various fields, particularly in political, economic, and cultural aspects.
This is Al-Shaibani’s first official visit to the Sultanate. The two ministers exchanged views on a set of regional and international developments.
Al-Shaibani expressed his country's deep appreciation for the wise approach and balanced policies of Oman, valuing its role in backing the security and stability of Syria.
He said Damascus was keen to broaden the horizons of cooperation and deepen joint coordination with Muscat, in a way that serves the mutual interests of the two countries and strengthens the fraternal bonds between the two peoples.
Al Busaidi told the Oman News Agency (ONA) that the Sultanate supports Syria's promising future in regaining its role and position on the Arab and international stages, considering it an important element within the framework of Oman's foreign relations, given its historical status and civilizational role throughout the ages.
“The meeting with my Syrian counterpart was fruitful during his first official visit to Oman,” he said.
The minister also described the visit as a confirmation of the deep-rooted relations and solid bonds between the Omani and Syrian peoples, expressing his optimism for the future of these relations and the development and growth they will bring.
He added that the meeting falls within the framework of existing structured mechanisms for cooperation between the two countries, noting an agreement to update these frameworks, particularly the resumption of work of the Omani-Syrian Joint Committee, which will hold its meetings in the next stage at the level of foreign ministers.
Al Busaidi said an agreement was reached to review the priorities of bilateral cooperation and to sign several agreements and memoranda of understanding in the next phase and that senior officials from both sides will meet to develop an executive work program for the relations.
For his part, Al-Shaibani told ONA that Syrian-Omani relations are long-standing and historical, based on mutual respect and constructive cooperation.
He noted that deep cultural and civilizational relations link the two countries, forming over decades bridges for continuous communication between the two peoples.
“We look forward to these relations contributing to supporting the reconstruction phase in Syria across various spheres, especially the economic and service sectors where Oman has achieved remarkable progress, including ports, roads and connectivity projects,” he said.
