New Start for Saudi-Omani Relations

Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman pass between two rows of the Royal Guard of Oman at Muscat Airport (SPA)
Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman pass between two rows of the Royal Guard of Oman at Muscat Airport (SPA)
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New Start for Saudi-Omani Relations

Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman pass between two rows of the Royal Guard of Oman at Muscat Airport (SPA)
Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman pass between two rows of the Royal Guard of Oman at Muscat Airport (SPA)

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman arrived in Oman on Monday as part of an official Gulf tour. His arrival in the Omani capital, Muscat, is expected to give a new push for Saudi-Omani relations.

He was received at the airport by Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, who wished the Crown Prince and the accompanying delegation a pleasant stay in Oman.

The Crown Prince’s first official visit to the Sultanate comes in light of growing bilateral relations between the two countries. It chiefly aims to strengthen relations and discuss the latest regional and international developments and issues of common interest.

Several areas and aspects of common interest will be discussed during this visit, reported the Oman News Agency.

What will be tackled serves the interests of the two countries and works to achieve the aspirations and hopes of the Omani and Saudi peoples for a more prosperous and developing future.

On the sidelines of the visit, Saudi Arabia and Oman signed 13 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) in different sectors.

The deals were signed by firms owned by Oman Investment Authority (OIA) with their Saudi counterparts, the official Oman News Agency reported.

OQ Group, a global energy provider based in Oman, signed three of the agreements, the first of which was with ACWA Power and Air Products in the fields of petrochemicals, renewable energy and green hydrogen. The second, relating to oil storage, was signed with Saudi Aramco, and the third, involving development of Oman’s Duqm Petrochemical Complex project, with SABIC.

Omran Group signed a memorandum with the Saudi Dar Al-Arkan Real Estate Development Company for the development of the Yetti Beach in Oman. Omran is described as creating sustainable and authentic tourism assets, lifestyle communities and destinations designed to drive economic growth and contribute to the diversification of the economy.

The Saudi Tadawul Group and the Muscat Securities Market signed a memorandum for cooperation with the operation of the stock exchange and the dual listing of companies.

Oman-based Asyad, a logistics group, signed an agreement with Saudi Bahri, a transportation and logistics company, while Minerals Development Oman signed a deal with the Kingdom’s Maaden Phosphate Co. to boost cooperation in the mining sector.



Saudi Foreign Minister Receives UNRWA Commissioner-General

Saudi FM receives UNRWA Commissioner-General. (SPA)
Saudi FM receives UNRWA Commissioner-General. (SPA)
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Saudi Foreign Minister Receives UNRWA Commissioner-General

Saudi FM receives UNRWA Commissioner-General. (SPA)
Saudi FM receives UNRWA Commissioner-General. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received on Wednesday the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) Commissioner-General, Philippe Lazzarini.
During the meeting, both sides discussed the strong partnership between the Kingdom and UNRWA. They also reviewed recent regional developments and the ongoing efforts to address key challenges related to these issues.
In a related context, Arab reactions continue after Israel’s publications of maps annexing parts of Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs slammed Israel’s “extremist” acts that reflect Israel’s “intentions to consolidate its occupation and continue its flagrant violation of the sovereignty of those nations.”
Saudi Arabia reiterated its call for the international community to fulfill its role in halting Israel’s violations against the countries and peoples of the region.
The Kingdom emphasized the importance of respecting the sovereignty and borders of nations to prevent further escalation of regional crises and to support efforts aimed at achieving a just and comprehensive peace.

The Secretary-General of the Arab League, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, also issued a strong condemnation of Israel’s maps publications, saying it “reflects a state of right-wing extremism and religious obsession prevailing within the Israeli government”.