SULTAN HAITHAM ARRIVES IN SAUDI ARABIA
▶ Omani Ruler’s first official foreign visit is celebration of fraternal ties
Sultan Haitham, Ruler of Oman, arrived in Saudi Arabia yesterday for his first official foreign visit.
He was met at Neom Bay Airport by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, as an orchestra played and the flags of both countries flew on the runway.
Saudi Arabia rolled out its purple carpet for Sultan Haitham’s arrival, which included an honour guard.
They sat for a meeting after the airport reception.
Shortly after, King Salman joined them and greeted Sultan Haitham with a handshake.
A document establishing the Omani-Saudi Co-ordination Council was signed by Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Al Busaidi and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan.
Oman and Saudi Arabia exchanged gifts after the signing. Sultan Haitham presented King Salman with the Order of Al Said, its highest decoration.
King Salman gave Sultan Haitham the King Abdulaziz necklace.
Prince Faisal said the Sultan’s trip reflected “the depth of bonds and fraternal ties between the leaderships of the two countries and their combined political will and common vision.
“The visit is of great importance; it portrays the historical relations between the two countries which are still based on mutual respect, serving common interests and constructive co-operation in addressing Arab and Islamic issues in achieving peace and security,” he said.
Sultan Haitham and Saudi officials will discuss measures to enhance relations between the two Gulf states during his twoday visit.
He is accompanied by a delegation that includes Deputy Prime Minister for Defence Affairs Shihab bin Tariq and Interior Minister Hamoud Al Busaidi.
The ministers of commerce and transport and the head of the Oman Investment Authority also accompanied the Ruler on his trip.
Muscat’s ambassador to Riyadh, Sayyid Faisal bin Turki Al Said, said talks would focus on enhancing co-operation between the two states in various sectors.
Mr Al Said said Saudi Arabia was a vital economic partner for Oman.
He highlighted “the profound bilateral relations and concordance between Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and Oman’s Vision 2040”, the countries’ economic development initiatives.
Riyadh’s ambassador to Muscat, Abdullah bin Saud Al Enezi, said Sultan Haitham’s visit would be a “historic moment for the countries to formulate a common vision in developing economic relations”.
Mr Al Enezi said trade between Oman and Saudi Arabia had increased greatly in recent years.
Sultan Haitham’s visit to the kingdom at the invitation of King Salman echoes that of his predecessor, Sultan Qaboos, who travelled to Saudi Arabia in 1971 at the invitation of King Faisal on his first official visit after becoming Ruler of Oman.
Aisha Al Darmaki, a member of Oman’s government, said Sultan Haitham’s undertaking of the same first visit showed the depth of relations between Saudi Arabia and Oman.
“The visit is of great importance in strengthening bilateral co-operation between the two countries within the framework of a strategic partnership,” Ms Al Darmaki said.
She also highlighted the strength of the partnership between the kingdom and the sultanate in their efforts to combat the coronavirus pandemic.
“Oman and Saudi Arabia work hand in hand to provide pharmaceutical and food stocks during the pandemic to reduce its health, economic and social impacts,” Ms Al Darmaki said.
Sultan Haitham ascended to the Omani throne after the death of Sultan Qaboos in January 2020.
Last week, officials said the final phase of construction for a major motorway linking the countries was under way.
The road will stretch from Ibri in Oman to the Ramlet Khelah border crossing and into Shaybah, Saudi Arabia.
Running through the Rub Al Khali, or the Empty Quarter, one of the largest deserts in the world, it will cut the journey time between the countries and could improve commercial and tourism ties.