Oman’s Foreign Policy, Regional, International Efforts Receive European Acclaim

Muscat: Foreign ministers taking part in the 27th meeting of the Joint GCC-EU Ministerial Council hailed the Sultanate of Oman’s foreign policy and the country’s regional and international efforts to establish dialogue for peace and build pillars of prosperity and stability.

Speaking to Oman News Agency (ONA), the ministers pointed out that dialogue constitutes a permanent principle and a strong approach in Oman’s foreign policy based on deep conviction in the role of dialogue in achieving reconciliation and peace among all the conflicting parties.

They stressed that Oman’s foreign policy should be taken as a model for consolidating regional and global security and stability.

Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign and Security Policy, Vice-President of the European Commission, said, “The Sultanate of Oman plays a positive role as a reliable mediator at regional and international levels.”

In this context, Borrell referred to Oman’s stance on Yemen crisis, noting that this role receives the full appreciation and respect from the European side.

For his part, Gabrielius Landsbergis, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania, said that Muscat’s hosting of the EU-GCC meeting affirmed the position of Oman as a centre for regional and global dialogue through which all parties meet at one table to exchange visions and views on measures that serve the public cause.

Landsbergis pointed out that his country shares Oman’s vision to promote dialogue and respect for the international law and the sovereignty of states, without interfering in the internal affairs of others. He appreciated Oman’s role in resolving many thorny issues in regional and international arenas.

Meanwhile, Tobias Billstrom, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Sweden, described the Sultanate of Oman’s foreign policy of dialogue as a “model” that deserves commendation. In his comments, he quoted many examples of Oman’s fruitful contribution towards resolving global issues.

Billstrom expressed the confidence that Oman would keep up its standards and that the country’s role would continue to grow at a time the world is witnessing conflicts among many parties.

In another interview, Ian Borg, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs and Trade of the Republic of Malta, also lauded Oman’s foreign policy, which, he said, is based on respect for international law. He appreciated the fact that Oman endorses the option of dialogue as an approach to resolve disputes among conflicting parties.

Borg stressed that Oman encourages all countries to espouse this approach as a measure to enhance regional and international security and stability.

This position is also reiterated by Peter Szijjarto, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Republic of Hungary, who stressed his country’s support for the policy dialogue pursued by Oman in its foreign policy.

In this regard, Szijjarto said, “We agree with Oman’s advocation of the principles of dialogue, mutual respect and the international law. We hereby reaffirm the necessity of utilizing these principles in consolidating international peace and security.”

In this context, the Hungarian minister laid emphasis on the need for the parties in the Russian-Ukrainian war to resort to principle of dialogue to help resolve their differences and move forward towards a peaceful solution. – ONA