Sunday 17 / November / 2024
Muscat: The Foreign Ministry held the fifth annual meeting at the Diplomatic Club today with ambassadors and heads of Diplomatic Missions and International Organizations accredited to the Sultanate of Oman.
The meeting aimed to exchange views on a set of current regional issues, and the topics raised in relation to the development process and Oman Vision 2040, in addition to Omani foreign policy.
During the meeting, Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, Foreign Minister, commended the valuable efforts made by the heads of missions in maintaining and continuously developing relations with the Sultanate of Oman.
On the political level, the minister stressed that the vision of a two-state solution is the only option for achieving peace, and that the Palestinian people alone have the final say in determining the form of sovereignty of the Palestinian state they seek.
He also expressed the Sultanate of Oman’s appreciation for the countries that have taken steps towards formal recognition of the State of Palestine, which has added momentum to the large global majority in this regard.
The meeting addressed the tragic situation in the Gaza Strip and the severe suffering of the brotherly Palestinian people as a result of the military operations launched by the Israeli occupation forces, which have gone far beyond and violated the rules of international law and international humanitarian law. The situation in Lebanon was also addressed.
The Foreign Minister also reviewed a set of ideas that could help confront current challenges and achieve global justice and peace, including those calling for the need to update and renew the United Nations Security Council and the veto powers held by permanent member states. He pointed out that this system dates back to the Cold War era, and that it is clear at the present moment that it constitutes an obstacle to achieving international justice, while protecting the interests of one state that continues blatantly to violate international law.
Regarding the objectives of Oman Vision 2040, the minister underlined the flexibility enjoyed by the Omani economy within the framework of the diversification policy, investment attractiveness, and opportunities to support innovation and technology projects and build human skills and capabilities. He referred to the Social Protection Law, which provides a vital safety net for various segments of society. He also touched on the Research and Innovation Law, which establishes a national system to encourage research and innovation.
The Foreign Minister stressed that the government of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik is committed to creating the best possible opportunities for investors and entrepreneurs, and supporting success, while taking into account the need to protect the welfare of those who are not in a position to achieve these opportunities.
At the end of the meeting, Sayyid Badr expressed his thanks and appreciation to the ambassadors and members of the diplomatic corps accredited to the Sultanate of Oman and the organizations for their efforts in strengthening relations and cooperation with the Sultanate of Oman.
For their part, the heads of missions expressed their sincere appreciation for the gesture of the Foreign Minister and his keenness to hold this fruitful annual meeting. They affirmed their support for the existing partnership with the Sultanate of Oman.
The meeting was attended by Khalid bin Hashel Al Musalhi, Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry for Administrative and Financial Affairs and Najib bin Yahya Al Balushi, Head of the Protocols Department at the Foreign Ministry.
