Saudi Arabia, Oman Agree to Maintain Coordination over Regional Issues

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Omani counterpart Badr Albusaidi meet in Muscat on Monday. (ONA)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Omani counterpart Badr Albusaidi meet in Muscat on Monday. (ONA)
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Saudi Arabia, Oman Agree to Maintain Coordination over Regional Issues

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Omani counterpart Badr Albusaidi meet in Muscat on Monday. (ONA)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Omani counterpart Badr Albusaidi meet in Muscat on Monday. (ONA)

Saudi Arabia and Oman said on Monday they were determined to hold the first meeting of their coordination council during 2023.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Omani counterpart Badr Albusaidi held consultative talks in Muscat on Monday aimed at tackling regional challenges and ways to address them through peaceful means.

They stressed the Kingdom and Sultanate's continued coordination over regional affairs and constructive cooperation in their foreign ministries.

In a statement, Prince Faisal said the activation of the Saudi-Omani coordination council is an important mechanism that will bolster bilateral cooperation between the neighbors, especially in trade and investment.

He described as positive the meeting he held with Albusaidi, underscoring the strong and close ties shared between Saudi Arabia and Oman.

The relations are witnessing development in several fields and initiatives to implement major projects that would strengthen the economic integration between them, he added.

The FM’s discussed the unique bilateral relations between their countries and opportunities of bilateral cooperation in various domains, reported the Saudi Press Agency.

They also exchanged views on the latest regional and international developments.



UAE, Syria Foreign Ministers Discuss Bolstering Ties on UAE visit

A handout photo made available by the Emirates News Agency (WAM) shows United Arab Emirates Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan (R) meeting with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani (L) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 06 January 2025. (WAM)
A handout photo made available by the Emirates News Agency (WAM) shows United Arab Emirates Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan (R) meeting with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani (L) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 06 January 2025. (WAM)
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UAE, Syria Foreign Ministers Discuss Bolstering Ties on UAE visit

A handout photo made available by the Emirates News Agency (WAM) shows United Arab Emirates Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan (R) meeting with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani (L) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 06 January 2025. (WAM)
A handout photo made available by the Emirates News Agency (WAM) shows United Arab Emirates Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan (R) meeting with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani (L) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 06 January 2025. (WAM)

UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan discussed bolstering "brotherly" ties with Syria during the first official visit by Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani to the United Arab Emirates on Monday, Emirati state news agency WAM reported.

The two ministers also discussed the overall developments in Syria since former President Bashar al-Assad was ousted by opposition factions on Dec. 8.

The UAE's foreign minister reiterated the country's support for Syria's independence and sovereignty, WAM added.

Syria's Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra, head of intelligence Anas Khattab and the UAE's minister of state for defense affairs, Mohammed Fadel al-Mazrouei, also attended the meeting.

The UAE is part of Shibani's second foreign tour, which earlier took him to Qatar and will also include a visit to Jordan. He said the visits aim to "support stability, security, economic recovery and build distinguished partnerships", according to his account on X.

Shibani made his first foreign trip to Saudi Arabia last week, where Saudi officials discussed how best to support Syria's political transition.