Oman, Bahrain Forge Security, Economic Agreements

Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq was received by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa upon his arrival at the Sakhir Air Base. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq was received by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa upon his arrival at the Sakhir Air Base. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Oman, Bahrain Forge Security, Economic Agreements

Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq was received by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa upon his arrival at the Sakhir Air Base. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq was received by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa upon his arrival at the Sakhir Air Base. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Bahrain and the Sultanate of Oman signed a set of agreements that included cooperation in the field of security, maritime transport, ports and investment promotion.

Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq arrived in Bahrain on Monday, on a two-day official visit. He was received by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa upon his arrival at Sakhir Air Base.

The two leaders held talks on current developments and a number of regional and international issues of common concern.

According to the Bahrain News Agency (BNA), Monday’s meeting was attended by Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa and senior officials from both sides. Discussions focused on historical ties and regional and international developments.

The two sides reviewed “the well-established brotherly relations and ways to further develop horizons of cooperation and joint action,” according to agency. They also affirmed their keenness to “promote cooperation frameworks and bilateral coordination mechanisms in all areas that enhance the mutual interests of the two countries and serve the aspirations of their brotherly peoples.”

The Bahraini monarch praised “the comprehensive renaissance process, the developmental and civilizational achievements of the Sultanate of Oman, and its pioneering role in supporting joint Gulf and Arab action.”

The two leaders witnessed the signing of a number of agreements, including a cooperation agreement in the security field, which aims to raise the efficiency of the security services in the two countries.

The delegations also signed a cooperation agreement in the field of maritime transport and ports, and a cooperation agreement between the Bahrain Center for Strategic, International and Energy Studies and Sultan Qaboos University on cooperation in the field of studies and research.

An agreement was also signed to establish a Bahraini-Omani Investment Holding Company.

The Omani Royal Court had stated that Sultan Haitham visit to Manama came “to consolidate the existing solid historical ties between Oman and Bahrain, and to affirm their keenness to strengthen relations and take them to broader horizons.”

Faisal bin Hareb Al Busaidi, the Sultanate’s ambassador to Bahrain, told the BNA that the visit “will constitute an important turning point in the nature of the brotherly relationship and bilateral cooperation between the two countries.”

He noted that the meetings of the joint committee were held on a regular basis to frame the existing cooperation and expand cooperation opportunities.



Saudi Crown Prince Reassures Cabinet on King Salman's Health

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman - SPA
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman - SPA
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Saudi Crown Prince Reassures Cabinet on King Salman's Health

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman - SPA
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman - SPA

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, offered reassurances about the health of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz as he chaired a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, reported the Saudi Press Agency.

The royal court said on Sunday King Salman would undergo medical tests for a lung inflammation.  

"The Crown Prince reassures everyone of the health of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques ... praying to God Almighty to bless him with a speedy recovery and to grant him good and sound health," SPA said on X.  

During the cabinet meeting in Riyadh, Crown Prince Mohammed briefed the ministers on the message sent by King Salman to Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum. The message covered bilateral relations between their countries and means to bolster them in various fields.

Minister of Media Salman bin Yousef Al-Dossary said the cabinet highlighted King Salman’s patronage of the 4th Global Cybersecurity Forum and Crown Prince Mohammed's welcoming speech, which embodied the Kingdom's interest in consolidating joint international action for efforts that serve development and prosperity for all countries of the world.

The cabinet hailed the strategic objectives of the Crown Prince's two global initiatives, which aim to protect children in cyberspace and empower women in cybersecurity. These initiatives fall within the Kingdom's importance of investing in people in all fields, including this vital sector, which is essential for the growth of economies, the development of societies, and the security and stability of countries.

The cabinet discussed the latest regional and international developments, reiterating the statement by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) extraordinary ministerial meeting which supported the Palestinian and Lebanese peoples against the Israeli assault.

The statement urged the international community to fulfill its responsibilities in maintaining security and stability in the region and implementing resolutions of international legitimacy.

The cabinet welcomed the outcomes of the ministerial meeting of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, hoping for continued coordination among international partners to eradicate the organization and other terrorist groups. The cabinet reiterated the Kingdom's stance against extremism and terrorism and its commitment to preventing their financing in all forms.

Furthermore, the ministers underlined the Kingdom's contributions to developing effective policies and solutions to global economic challenges. They emphasized the importance of investing in the sustainability of the multilateral trading system to support economic growth and human development and mitigate economic risks.

The cabinet reiterated the Kingdom's position during its participation in the G20 meetings. The Kingdom stressed the need to balance economic growth, energy security, and efforts to combat climate change.  

It underlined its ambition to lead in the use of circular carbon economy technologies and become a global leader in producing and exporting clean energy.

Moreover, the cabinet deemed the Kingdom's winning bid to host the 2026 International Association of Prosecutors Conference as a confirmation of the Kingdom's influential global position and significant role in promoting justice and establishing international judicial communication.