Saudi-Chinese Talks on Strategic Partnership, Global Developments

The Saudi foreign minister and his Chinese counterpart perform a preventive elbow bump during their meeting on Thursday in the Uzbek capital (SPA)
The Saudi foreign minister and his Chinese counterpart perform a preventive elbow bump during their meeting on Thursday in the Uzbek capital (SPA)
TT

Saudi-Chinese Talks on Strategic Partnership, Global Developments

The Saudi foreign minister and his Chinese counterpart perform a preventive elbow bump during their meeting on Thursday in the Uzbek capital (SPA)
The Saudi foreign minister and his Chinese counterpart perform a preventive elbow bump during their meeting on Thursday in the Uzbek capital (SPA)

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met on Thursday with Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi for official discussions in the Uzbek capital, Tashkent.

During the meeting, Prince Faisal and Councilor Wang reviewed strategic ties and their two countries’ close partnership.

They also discussed ways of reinforcing bilateral relations in several fields of common interest, boosting multilayered coordination and the latest developments in the region and the world.

The two officials also examined cooperation on combating the coronavirus pandemic and support for all international efforts in this regard. They voiced their anticipation for continued collaboration in fighting the spread of the COVID-19 disease.

Prince Faisal had arrived in Tashkent for a two-day international conference titled “Central and South Asia: Regional Connectivity, Challenges, and Opportunities.”

During his stay in Tashkent, the Saudi minister met with Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tleuberdi, Tajikistan’s Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin, and Turkmenistan’s Foreign Minister Raşit Meredow.

During the meetings, the officials discussed bilateral relations and the means to strengthen them in different fields to serve common interests.

Also, they reviewed Saudi Arabia’s global efforts and support for ways to address the coronavirus pandemic through the Kingdom’s presidency of the G20 last year.

The meetings also shed light on Vision 2030 and its programs, which aim to achieve sustainable development and provide significant investment opportunities in different sectors.

In other news, Prince Faisal received a written message from his Omani counterpart, Sayyed Badr Al-Busaidi.

The message was received on Prince Faisal’s behalf by Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Walid Al-Khuraiji upon meeting Oman’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia in Riyadh.

The deputy foreign minister and Omani ambassador discussed bilateral relations and ways to enhance them across various fields. They also exchanged views on regional and international issues.



Egypt and Oman Discuss Red Sea Security, Bilateral Cooperation

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty meets with Oman’s Deputy Prime Minister Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said. (Egypt’s Foreign Affairs Ministry)
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty meets with Oman’s Deputy Prime Minister Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said. (Egypt’s Foreign Affairs Ministry)
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Egypt and Oman Discuss Red Sea Security, Bilateral Cooperation

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty meets with Oman’s Deputy Prime Minister Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said. (Egypt’s Foreign Affairs Ministry)
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty meets with Oman’s Deputy Prime Minister Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said. (Egypt’s Foreign Affairs Ministry)

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty discussed escalating security tensions in the Red Sea during a visit to Oman on Monday, stressing the importance of maritime safety, freedom of international trade, and the direct link to the security of Red Sea littoral states.

Abdelatty highlighted the economic impact of the tensions on Egypt, particularly the decline in Suez Canal revenues, which fell from $9.4 billion in 2022–2023 to $7.2 billion in 2023–2024 due to the Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait.

The attacks, carried out in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, have forced global shipping companies to reroute vessels through the Cape of Good Hope.

During his meeting with Oman’s Deputy Prime Minister Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said, Abdelatty expressed Egypt’s appreciation for the sultanate’s leadership and its stabilizing regional role.

According to a statement by the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, he emphasized the need for Arab cooperation to address the region’s unprecedented instability, underscoring Egypt’s commitment to working closely with Oman to promote security and stability.

Abdelatty also met with his Omani counterpart Badr Al-Busaidi to discuss bilateral ties and regional issues. They reviewed existing cooperation frameworks and explored ways to boost relations, especially in trade, investments, and logistics.

The Egyptian official highlighted his country’s economic reform program and its efforts to attract foreign investment by improving the business climate and offering incentives.

The ministers discussed bolstering cooperation between the Suez Canal Economic Zone and Oman’s Special Economic Zone at Duqm, as well as strengthening maritime links between key ports, such as Duqm, Salalah, Alexandria, and Ain Sokhna. Such initiatives aim to boost trade and deepen collaboration in logistics and maritime transport, leveraging both nations’ strategic geographic locations.

Regional topics, including developments in Syria, Gaza, Yemen, Libya, Lebanon, and the Horn of Africa, were also addressed. The ministers expressed concern over the impact of Red Sea tensions on littoral states and shared a commitment to finding comprehensive political solutions for these crises.