President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates arrived in Salalah on Thursday for a fraternal visit to the Sultanate of Oman, where he was received by His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq. The official reception took place at Salalah Royal Airport, marking the start of high-level bilateral engagements between the two neighboring Gulf countries.
The UAE President was accompanied by a senior delegation that included Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court; Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs; Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes’ Affairs; Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs; and Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Advisor to the UAE President. A number of ministers and senior officials also formed part of the delegation.
On the Omani side, Sultan Haitham was joined by top officials, including Sayyid Shihab bin Tarik Al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for Defence Affairs; Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said, Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth; and Sayyid Bilarab bin Haitham Al Said. The presence of senior government members from both nations reflected the official nature of the visit and the emphasis placed on high-level consultations.
Sheikh Mohamed and Sultan Haitham hold bilateral talks
Talks between the two leaders were held at Al Husn Palace, where discussions focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation in political, economic, investment, and cultural fields. Both sides reviewed existing agreements and projects, expressing satisfaction with the current pace of implementation and reaffirming their commitment to advancing collaboration in key strategic sectors. Regional developments were also addressed during the meeting.
The leaders exchanged views on a range of regional and international issues of mutual concern, emphasizing the importance of stability and coordination within the Gulf Cooperation Council. No new agreements were announced during the visit, but both sides highlighted the importance of continued dialogue and follow-through on previously signed accords. Economic relations between the UAE and Oman have seen sustained growth in recent years. The two countries signed a series of memoranda of understanding in 2022 and 2023 covering infrastructure, transport, energy, and digital transformation.
Oman and UAE continue dialogue on infrastructure plans
Notable among these was a joint railway project to link Sohar Port in Oman with Abu Dhabi, aimed at enhancing cross-border trade and supply chain integration. The visit reinforces the consistent diplomatic engagement between the UAE and Oman. With trade volumes rising and joint initiatives in logistics, renewable energy, and tourism under development, both countries appear committed to deepening their strategic relationship through regular state-level interactions and practical cooperation. President Sheikh Mohamed departed Salalah following the conclusion of official talks. The visit underscores the continuity of UAE-Oman relations and the role of direct leadership engagement in maintaining regional partnerships based on formal agreements and shared national interests. – By Content Syndication Services.