Oman and Switzerland underscore importance of promoting more partnership initiatives

Muscat: His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik and President Alain Berset of the Swiss Confederation reaffirmed their interest in promoting more partnership initiatives and exchange of expertise at both governmental and private sector level, especially in the fields of economy, trade, investment, tourism, environment, logistics, renewable energy, education and research.

This was stated in a joint communique issued on the occasion of the Swiss President’s visit to the Sultanate of Oman.

It reads as follows: “Based on the friendship, historical ties and close cooperation between the Sultanate of Oman and the Swiss Confederation, and in response to the gracious invitation extended by His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik Sultan of Oman on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, His Excellency Alain Berset, President of the Swiss Confederation, paid an official visit to the Sultanate of Oman on Thursday, the 16th of Jumada Al-Awwal, corresponding to 30 November and Friday, the 17th of Jumada Al-Awwal, corresponding to 1 December 2023.

During the visit, His Majesty the Sultan discussed with His Excellency the President of Switzerland a number of issues related to the friendship and cooperation between the two countries, and exchanged views on various regional and international developments.

In terms of bilateral cooperation, both countries expressed their satisfaction with the growing pace of cooperation in various fields and reaffirmed their interest in promoting more partnership initiatives and exchange of expertise at both governmental and private sector level, especially in the fields of economy, trade, investment, tourism, environment, logistics, renewable energy, education and research.

With regard to political, security and humanitarian, and human rights issues, both sides expressed their strong support for principles of dialogue, negotiation and mediation in resolving conflicts and addressing challenges in order to achieve security, peace, peaceful coexistence and stability for all.

They also expressed firm adherence to the principles of international law and respect for the multilateral international system to establish justice, freedom, and the human right to a dignified life.

His Majesty the Sultan and His Excellency the President of Switzerland commended the Global Health and Peace Initiative spearheaded by the Sultanate of Oman and Switzerland within the World Health Organization, supporting the concept of health and peace for all through joint global cooperation.

On the occasion of the Swiss President’s visit to the Sultanate of Oman, the two countries signed several Memoranda of Understanding including in the areas of healthcare development and capacity building with the Swiss company Roche, cooperation in the tourism sector, and cooperation on sustainable energy and sustainable energy technologies. In the latter area, a concrete cooperation between the Ministry of Energy and Minerals of the Sultanate of Oman and a consortium led by the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology will start in January 2024. In addition, a letter of intent for cooperation between the Diplomatic Academy of the Foreign Ministry of Oman and the Geneva Center for Security Policy, and an agreement on the employment authorization of accompanying persons of official employees were signed.

During the visit, a joint commemorative postage stamp was issued to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, symbolizing the historical ties and friendship between the two countries and peoples.

His Excellency the President of Switzerland expressed his deep gratitude and appreciation to His Majesty the Sultan, his government, and the friendly people of Oman for the warm reception and generous hospitality extended to him and his delegation and conveyed an invitation to His Majesty the Sultan for a visit to Switzerland.”   – ONA