RIYADH: Oman and Saudi Arabia pledged to boost cooperation as a visit by Sultan Haitham bin Tariq came to an end on Monday.
The sultan was seen off at NEOM Bay Airport by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Minister of Interior Prince Abdul Aziz bin Saud bin Naif.
His two day visit came following an invitation from King Salman to “strengthen the well-established and distinguished relations between the two countries,” a joint statement said.
King Salman and Sultan Haitham held talks on Sunday, in the presence of the crown prince, where both sides praised the coordination achieved in political, military and security fields to achieve security and stability for both countries.
The two sides welcomed the signing of a memorandum of understanding to establish a Saudi-Omani Coordination Council headed by the foreign ministers of the two countries.
They also agreed to expedite the opening of their border crossings to ease the movement of people and goods to “integrate supply chains in order to achieve the desired economic integration,” the statement said.
They welcomed the “effective communication” between ministers of the two countries, and directed them to work on concluding a number of cooperation agreements.
Both leaders also agreed to stimulate the private and public sectors to reach trade and investment levels that contribute to the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and Oman’s Vision 2040.
They agreed to launch initiatives that include major areas of cooperation, including investments in Oman’s Duqm region, energy cooperation, and partnerships in food security, and various cultural, sports and tourism activities.
They also welcomed the Saudi-Omani Business Council meeting held on July 4.
“This will enhance direct and indirect investment opportunities between the private sector in both countries and will increase bilateral visits between business owners, the holding of conferences and exhibitions, and the establishment of economic projects in the two countries,” the statement said.
The two sides agreed to strengthen environmental cooperation with the Green Middle East initiative that was announced by the crown prince in March.
The Saudi-Omani statement praised the efforts of the OPEC+ countries, led by the Kingdom and with Oman’s participation, which led to stable oil markets, despite a time of weak demand due to the pandemic.
They agreed to study opportunities for bilateral investment in advanced technologies, innovation, health and pharmaceuticals, real estate development, petrochemicals, manufacturing industries, logistical partnership, information technology and financial technology.
“The two sides also welcomed the participation of Saudi companies to invest in the quality projects that the sultanate seeks to achieve,” the statement said.
The statement said they agreed to coordinate their positions to enhance security and stability in the region.
On Yemen, they will continue efforts to find a comprehensive political solution to the crisis.
“They also stressed the importance of dealing seriously and effectively with the Iranian nuclear and missile issue to achieve regional and international security and stability, emphasizing the principles of good neighborliness, respecting UN resolutions and international legitimacy, and sparing the region from all destabilizing activities,” the statement added.
