News

  Muscat, 29 Mar (ONA) --- HH Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud al-Said, Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers today received Wang Yi, State Councilor and Foreign Minister of China.   The Chinese official conveyed greetings of his country’s leadership and best wishes of permanent success to His Majesty the Sultan and the government, and the Omani people further progress and growth.   The two sides reviewed the growth and progress of their deep-rooted relations and ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in all fields. They also discussed current regional and ...

  New York, 25 Mar (ONA) – The Sultanate has been selected as supervisor state for the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy during the UN general assembly meetings held here today. Oman was represented at the session by Dr. Mohammed Awadh al-Hassan, Permanent Representative of the Sultanate to the United Nations. The Sultanate’s selection to supervise the strategy is credited to its moderate political stance, which is based on principles of peaceful coexistence, rejection of violence and extremism and advocacy of diplomacy of peace. The UN general assembly’s ...

  Muscat, 25 Mar (ONA) --- A session of political consultations between the Sultanate and Bosnia and Herzegovina was held at the Foreign Ministry today.   The Omani side was headed by Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Hamad al- Busaidi, while the Bosnian side was headed by Dr. Bisera Turkovic, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs.   The session reviewed the cooperation relations between the two countries on various fields and means of upgrading them to serve the joint interests.    The two sides also touched on several regional and ...

  Muscat, 23 Mar (ONA) – The Sultanate has welcomed the initiative announced by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) to reach a political solution for the crisis in the Republic of Yemen. A statement issued here today asserts that the Sultanate will continue to work with the KSA, the United Nations and the Yemeni parties concerned to achieve the desired political settlement that will restore to Yemen its security and stability, establish peace in the region and maintain the interests of its countries.  – ...

  Muscat, 22 Mar (ONA) --- Dr. Faisal Mekdad, Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, has described Oman’s stand on the Syrian Arab Republic’s crisis as “positive” and “precise” because it stems from the enlightened thought of His Majesty Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik.   In a statement to Oman News Agency (ONA), Mekdad commended Oman’s balance, quiet and sustained policy and its sense of responsibility which, he said, earned the Sultanate the respect and appreciation of the world. He valued the efforts exerted by Oman to end ...

Muscat, 21 Mar (ONA) --- The Sultanate and the Syrian Arab Republic held a round of official talks at the Foreign Ministry here today.   The Omani side was headed by Sayyid Badr Hamad al-Busaidi, Foreign Minister while the Syrian delegation was led by Dr. Faisal Mekdad, Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates.   During the session of consultations, the two sides reviewed bilateral relations and expressed their common keenness to promote cooperation in various spheres. The discussions also covered developments and efforts to establish peace and stability ...

Riyadh, 17 Mar (ONA) --- The Sultanate took part in the 147th session of the GCC Ministerial Council held in Riyadh today.   The Sultanate's delegation was headed by Sayyid Badr Hamad al-Busaidi, Foreign Minister.   The Council discussed some reports on following up implementation of the Supreme Council's decisions made at Sultan Qaboos and Sheikh Sabah Summit, as well as memoranda and reports raised by the ministerial committees and the Secretariat General. It also discussed topics pertaining to strategic dialogues among the GCC countries, other countries and ...

  Muscat, 16 Mar (ONA) --- The Sultanate, represented by the Foreign Ministry, today took part in the 2nd Tehran Dialogue Forum.   Held via video conferencing, the forum was organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran.   The Sultanate was represented in the forum by Sheikh Khalifa Ali Al-Harthy, Diplomatic Affairs Undersecretary.   During the forum, Sheikh Khalifa reiterated Oman's firm stance in supporting and promoting dialogue and understanding as they represent the ideal means to solve disputes and conflicts in the region and the ...

  Muscat, 12 Mar (ONA) —— Sayyid Badr Hamad al-Busaidi, Foreign Minister received a phone call today from Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary General. The telephonic conversation dealt with developments in the Yemeni crisis and efforts to end the war. Emphasis was laid on the immediate halt of military operations and the realization of peaceful solutions through direct dialogue among the disputing parties in a manner that allows for the entry of humanitarian aid and the supply of livelihood materials for the Yemeni people. The phone call also underscored the significant ...

Muscat, 10 Mar (ONA) --- Dr. Adil Jamal al-Owlaqi today received Royal Letters Patent (Al-Bara’a Al Sultania) and appointed as the Honorary Consul of the Kingdom of Norway to the Sultanate.   The Letters Patent was presented by Dr. Khalid Said al-Jaradi, acting Head of Protocols Department at the Foreign Ministry, who wished Dr. Adil success in advancing bilateral relations in a manner that benefits the peoples of the two countries.  --- ...

  Muscat, 10 Mar (ONA) --- Sheikh Khalifa Ali al-Harthy, Diplomatic Affairs Undersecretary at the Foreign Ministry today held a meeting with Miguel Berger, State Secretary of the Federal Foreign Office of Germany.   The meeting, held via video conferencing, reviewed the existing bilateral relations between the two friendly countries. Views on regional and international issues of common concern were also exchanged.   Present at the meeting were Yousef Said al-Amri, Ambassador of the Sultanate to Germany and Thomas Schneider, German Ambassador to Oman. --- ...

  Cairo, 8 Mar (ONA) —— President Abdel Fatah el Sisi of the Arab Republic of Egypt received here today Abdullah Nassir al-Rahbi, who presented his credentials as the Sultanate’s ambassador to Egypt.   During the meeting, the ambassador conveyed greetings of His Majesty Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik to President el Sisi along with His Majesty's best wishes of good health and well-being to the Egyptian President and people.   On his turn, the Egyptian President asked the ambassador to convey his greetings and best wishes to His Majesty the Sultan and ...

  Cairo, 3 Mar (ONA) – The Sultanate, under the leadership of His Majesty Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik, reaffirms its decades-old stance in support of joint Arab action, said Abdullah Nasser al-Rahbi, the Sultanate’s Ambassador to Egypt and its Permanent Representative at the Arab League, adding that Oman advocates the option of lasting, comprehensive peace based on resolutions of international legitimacy, as well as the Arab Peace Initiative. In a speech before the 155th ordinary session of the Arab League Council, al-Rahbi said that the Sultanate expresses the hope that ...

New York, 3 Mar (ONA) —- The Sultanate has reiterated its commitment to provide humanitarian aid for the brotherly people of Yemen.   The pledge reflects Oman’s dedication to the Humanitarian Response Plan and international efforts to provide relief to alleviate human suffering in Yemen.    This came in the Sultanate’s Speech at the Virtual High-Level Pledging Event for the Humanitarian Crises in Yemen. The speech was delivered by Dr. Mohammed Awadh al-Hassan, the Sultanate’s Permanent Representative at the United Nations in New ...

  Muscat, 1 Mar (ONA) —- Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Hamad al-Busaidi today made separate phone calls to Dr. Riyad al-Maliki, Palestinian Foreign Minister, and Gabi Ashkenazi, Israeli Foreign Minister.   Discussions during the telephonic conversations reaffirmed Omani stances in support for the realization of fair and comprehensive peace in the Middle East through direct negotiations. Emphasis was also laid on the two-state solution and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.  – ...

  Cairo, 1 Mar (ONA) – The Sultanate today took part in the 155th round of the Arab League Council, at the level of permanent representatives, to prepare for the ministerial meeting scheduled to be held here on Wednesday. Arab foreign ministers will convene under the chairmanship of the State of Qatar.   The Omani delegation was headed by Abdullah Nassir al-Rahbi, the Sultanate’s Ambassador to Egypt and its Permanent Representative at the Arab League.   The permanent representatives will discuss topics of the Arab foreign ministers’ agenda dealing ...

        Muscat, 28 Feb (ONA) --- Sayyid Badr Hamad al-Busaidi, Foreign Minister held a session of consultations today with Sheikh Dr. Ahmed Nasser Al Mohammed al-Sabah, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kuwait.       The session reviewed the strong fraternal relations binding the two brotherly countries. The two sides stressed their keenness on boosting the constructive cooperation between the two countries to serve joint interest.       They reviewed some regional and international issues, besides exchanging views to enhance the GCC joint ...

  Muscat, 25 Feb (ONA) --- Sayyid Badr Hamad al-Busaidi, Foreign Minister today received Tim Lenderking, Special Envoy of the United States (US) for Yemen.     The two sides discussed developments of the situations in Yemen and the endeavours exerted to end the ongoing war. They also reiterated the importance of addressing the humanitarian crisis and supporting efforts to achieve political settlement among all Yemeni parties through constructive dialogue and peaceful negotiations.      The meeting was attended by Sheikh Khalifa Ali al-Harthy, Undersecretary of ...

Muscat, 24 Feb (ONA) —- Sayyid Badr Hamad al-Busaidi, Foreign Minister received a telephonic call today from Dr. Antony Blinken, US Secretary of State. During the call, the two sides stressed the strategic relations between the two friendly countries in various areas. They also exchanged views on several issues of common concern.  Both ministers reiterated the importance of supporting all endeavors to maintain peace and stability in the region. —- ...

  Kuwait, 24 Feb (ONA) --- Kuwait will celebrate its 60th National Day tomorrow (Thursday), marking the efforts of its leadership to develop all sectors and preserve the country's peace and stability.   This year's celebrations will be the first under the leadership of Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmed Al Jaber al-Sabah, Emir of Kuwait and Sheikh Mishal Al Ahmed Al Jaber al-Sabah, Crown Prince.   During the celebrations, Kuwait is also remembering the great efforts of the late Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber al-Sabah, who passed away on 29 September 2020, after long ...

  Muscat, 24 Feb (ONA) --- Sayyid Badr Hamad al-Busaidi, Foreign Minister today conducted bilateral consultations with Prince Faisal Farhan al-Saud, Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).   The two sides expressed their deep pride over the historic, fraternal and strong relations between the two brotherly countries and peoples.   They also expressed keenness of the two wise leaderships to promote the bilateral relations in various spheres to achieve mutual benefits and open new and diverse horizons to support opportunities of trade, investment ...

  Muscat, 22 Feb (ONA) --- The Sultanate took part in the joint ministerial meeting held via video-conferencing today between the GCC countries and the United Kingdom (UK).     The Sultanate was represented in the meeting by Sheikh Khalifa Ali al-Harthy, Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry for Diplomatic Affairs.   During the meeting, the GCC side in the meeting was headed by Dr. Abdullatif Rashid al-Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain, Chairman of the GCC Ministerial Council for the current term whilst it was chaired from the ...

  Muscat, 21 Feb (ONA) --- Gen. Kenneth McKenzie, Commander of the United States Central Command lauded efforts of the Sultanate's government under the leadership of His Majesty Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik to upgrade the military sector.   In an interview with Oman News Agency (ONA), the US military official affirmed that that Sultanate is a strategically important partner for his country to maintain regional security.   He explained that the Omani-US relationship is one of the oldest as it goes back hundreds of years, reaffirming his country's keenness ...

Muscat, 18 Feb (ONA) --- The Sultanate and the Republic of Georgia signed at the Foreign Ministry here today an agreement on mutual visa exemption for the holder of diplomatic, special and service passports.   The agreement was signed on behalf of the governments of the two countries by Sheikh Khalifa Ali Al-Harthy, Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry for Diplomatic Affairs and Vakhtang Jaoshvili, Ambassador of the Republic of Georgia accredited to the Sultanate.   The agreement aims to upgrade the bilateral relations between the two friendly countries. --- ...

  Muscat, 18 Feb (ONA) --- The Sultanate and the Republic of Peru signed at the Foreign Ministry here today an agreement on mutual visa exemption for the holder of diplomatic, special and service passports.   The agreement was signed on behalf of the governments of the two countries by Sheikh Khalifa Ali Al-Harthy, Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry for Diplomatic Affairs and Jose Luis Salinas, Ambassador of the Republic of Peru accredited to the Sultanate.   The agreement aims to upgrade the bilateral relations between the two friendly countries. --- ...

  Muscat, 17 Feb (ONA) —- The Sultanate and the Republic of Finland today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for political consultations between the foreign ministries of the two countries.  The MoU was signed at the Foreign Ministry here by Sheikh Khalifa Ali Al Harthy, Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry for Diplomatic Affairs and Antti Rytovuori, Ambassador of Finland accredited to the Sultanate. The MoU aims to enhance bilateral relations between the two friendly countries in various areas and exchange views on issues of common concern. ...

Muscat, 17 Feb (ONA)--- The Foreign Ministry, in cooperation with the Sri Lankan Embassy in Muscat, held a ceremony today marking the 40th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between the Sultanate and the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.     The ceremony was attended by Sheikh Khalifa Ali al-Harthy, Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry for Diplomatic Affairs and Omar Lebbe, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Sultanate.                  During the ceremony, the two sides launched a commemorative logo symbolizing the ...

Muscat, 14 Feb (ONA) --- Sayyid Badr Hamad al-Busaidi, Foreign Minister conducted bilateral consultations with Sheikh Abdullah Zayed al-Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the United Arab Emirates(UAE).   The two sides touched on various aspects dealing with the Omani, UAE relations, as well as distinguished historic, cultural ties.    Both Ministers affirmed keenness of their countries' leaderships to strengthen the constructive cooperation in different spheres to enhance the mutual interests.   They exchanged views on ...

Muscat, 10 Feb (ONA) --- Mevlut Cavusoglu, Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs lauded the Sultanate's foreign policy and its efforts in coming up with solutions for the regional conflicts. He described the Sultanate as a voice of reason and wisdom in the region.   In a joint press conference held at the Foreign Ministry today with Sayyid Badr Hamad al-Busaidi, Foreign Minister, the Turkish Minister said that his country supports the Sultanate's endeavours to maintain security and stability in the region.   He expressed his country's keenness to promote ...

Advisory Board of GCC Supreme Council Chooses New Chair   Muscat, 10 Feb (ONA) --- The Advisory Board of the GCC Supreme Council today chose Sheikha Dr. Maryam Hussein al-Khalifa as Chairperson of the Board in succession of Hamad Abdul Rahman al-Madfa.   Held via video conferencing in Muscat today, the first meeting of the 24th session discussed decisions of tasking the Advisory Board of the GCC Supreme Council to study three topics pertaining to maximizing the benefit of GCC states from the Silk Road (Belt and Road Initiative), matters related to the GCC human ...