Saudi-Omani Coordination Meeting Consolidates Joint Cooperation

Saudi Minister and his Omani counterpart co-chaired the third meeting of the Saudi-Omani Coordination Council. (SPA)
Saudi Minister and his Omani counterpart co-chaired the third meeting of the Saudi-Omani Coordination Council. (SPA)
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Saudi-Omani Coordination Meeting Consolidates Joint Cooperation

Saudi Minister and his Omani counterpart co-chaired the third meeting of the Saudi-Omani Coordination Council. (SPA)
Saudi Minister and his Omani counterpart co-chaired the third meeting of the Saudi-Omani Coordination Council. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, met on Monday in Muscat with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Oman, Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamoud Al Busaidi, where they reviewed the fraternal relations between the two countries and ways to develop them across various fields.

The two sides also discussed regional and international developments, and the efforts addressed in this regard.

Following their meeting, the Saudi Minister and his Omani counterpart co-chaired the third meeting of the Saudi-Omani Coordination Council with the participation of the heads of the Council’s subsidiary committees and the two heads of the Council’s General Secretariat teams.

The meeting of the Coordination Council comes as an affirmation of the keenness of the Saudi and Omani leaderships to strengthen fraternal ties and advance them toward broader horizons that achieve greater prosperity for the two countries and peoples.

In his remarks during the meeting, Prince Faisal affirmed that the meeting builds on the second meeting of the Saudi-Omani Coordination Council, which was held in AlUla on 12 December 2024, and on its positive and fruitful outcomes within the framework of the approved recommendations and initiatives.

Prince Faisal stressed the importance of continuing the work of the Council’s subsidiary committees to complete the necessary procedures to implement the remaining initiatives, and of the General Secretariat’s role in follow-up and in addressing any challenges that may hinder implementation.

The Saudi minister underscored the importance of developing and enhancing trade relations, stimulating investment, and strengthening cooperation between the public and private sectors. He commended the signing of the minutes facilitating mutual recognition of rules of origin between the two countries and the acceptance of certificates of origin issued by the competent authorities, as well as the launch of the second phase of industrial integration initiatives between the two countries.

This, Prince Faisal highlighted, reflects the strength of economic ties and underscores the commitment to enhancing economic and trade cooperation in a manner that serves the interests of both countries and peoples.

He also praised the ongoing work to establish and launch the Coordination Council’s electronic platform, which aims to connect all committee work and initiatives to facilitate follow-up on the Council’s progress. The Foreign Minister further welcomed the progress achieved between the two countries in the fields of economy, trade, industry, energy, investment, and other vital sectors, and efforts to expand cooperation opportunities in ways that yield positive outcomes and benefits for the two peoples.

For his part, the Omani Minister of Foreign Affairs affirmed in his remarks the qualitative progress in relations between the two countries and the notable development witnessed across numerous sectors toward achieving economic integration and enhancing intra-trade and joint investments.

He also highlighted deeper cooperation in security and judicial fields, as well as cultural and tourism sectors, noting the advanced and continuous political cooperation, consultation, and coordination on regional and international issues—reflecting the shared commitment to aligning visions and objectives between the two countries.

The Omani foreign minister expressed his aspiration to continue advancing joint cooperation and achieving integration across all fields that bring further benefits to the two peoples, emphasizing the activation of agreed initiatives and the implementation of joint programs and projects in a manner that fulfills the aspirations of the leaderships and peoples of both countries.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the two sides signed the minutes of the third meeting of the Saudi-Omani Coordination Council.

The meeting was attended by Assistant Minister of Interior Dr. Hisham Al-Falih; Deputy Minister for Political Affairs Ambassador Dr. Saud Al-Sati; Saudi Arabia's Ambassador to Oman Ibrahim bin Bishan; Assistant Minister of Investment Dr. Abdullah Al-Dubaikhi; Deputy Minister for International Economic Affairs at the Ministry of Economy and Planning Rakan Tarabzoni; Head of the Secretariat's working group by from the Saudi side Engineer Fahd Al-Harthi; and Director General of International Cooperation at the Ministry of Culture Abdullah Al-Raddadi; and Advisor to the Director of the Strategic Management Office Eng. Abdulrahman Maghrabi.



Attacks from Iraq on East-West Pipeline Draw Strong Condemnations

Saudi Aramco logo. Reuters
Saudi Aramco logo. Reuters
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Attacks from Iraq on East-West Pipeline Draw Strong Condemnations

Saudi Aramco logo. Reuters
Saudi Aramco logo. Reuters

Attacks on a key Saudi oil pipeline launched from Iraqi territory drew on Saturday strong condemnations from many countries and organizations.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry blamed the attacks on the East-West pipeline in the Riyadh and Madinah regions on several drones that came from Iraq and, in a statement, said the Kingdom would not retaliate to give the Iraqi government “an opportunity to take the necessary measures.”

Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, Oman, Egypt, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Muslim World League (MWL) were quick to condemn the attacks.

The statements stressed full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and backed all measures taken by the Kingdom to safeguard its territory.


Saudi Arabia Welcomes Launch of Global Alliance for South-South and Triangular Cooperation

File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
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Saudi Arabia Welcomes Launch of Global Alliance for South-South and Triangular Cooperation

File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT

Saudi Arabia has welcomed the launch of the Global Alliance for South-South and Triangular Cooperation, emphasizing its importance in enhancing integration and reducing duplication of efforts while respecting countries’ national priorities.

In the Kingdom’s speech delivered on the occasion of the United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation, Saudi Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Dr. Abdulaziz Alwasil said Saudi Vision 2030 aligns with the priorities of South-South cooperation, particularly in economic diversification, digital transformation, innovation, sustainability, youth empowerment, and the private sector, SPA reported.

He noted that the Saudi Fund for Development has contributed to supporting and financing development projects and programs in more than 100 developing countries across various vital sectors, affirming Saudi Arabia’s commitment to continuing to work with member states, the United Nations, and partners to strengthen cooperation and achieve more prosperous, sustainable, and inclusive development.


GCC Secretary-General Condemns East-West Pipeline Attack in Saudi Arabia

GCC Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA
GCC Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA
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GCC Secretary-General Condemns East-West Pipeline Attack in Saudi Arabia

GCC Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA
GCC Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi strongly condemned the targeting of the East-West Pipeline in Riyadh and Madinah regions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by several drones launched from Iraq, resulting in casualties and material damage.

He affirmed that the attack represents a dangerous escalation and an unacceptable threat to Saudi Arabia's security and the safety of its territory and vital facilities, constituting a flagrant violation of the principles of international law.

He stressed the GCC’s categorical rejection of all acts targeting the Kingdom’s security, stability, and national resources, SPA reported.

The GCC secretary-general underscored the importance of the Iraqi government exerting greater efforts and taking necessary and decisive measures to prevent its territory from being used as a launchpad for such attacks, and working to halt and prevent their recurrence, thereby helping preserve the region's security and stability and preventing further escalation.

He reiterated the GCC’s full and steadfast support for Saudi Arabia and its complete backing of all measures and actions taken by the Kingdom to protect its security and stability, the safety of its territory and vital facilities, and its citizens and residents.