MUSCAT: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, who is in Oman on a two-day visit to the country, met Oman’s Foreign Minister Omar Yusuf Alawi who told him that Pakistanis have made significant contributions in the development of the Gulf state.
“We view Pakistan as an asset. Pakistanis made outstanding contributions to development and progress of Oman since the early ’50s,” Alawi said during ‘Bilateral Strategic Consultations’ with FM Qureshi.
“Both countries common history and geography binds them into a natural ‘Strategic Partnership,” he was quoted as saying by Pakistan’s Foreign Office (FO). “Time is right to maximise our mutual potential for our and larger good of region”.
FM Qureshi briefed his Omani counterpart on the vision of the newly-elected government and shared Pakistan’s policy of ‘Visa on Arrival’ for Omanis that shall boost peoples’ exchanges, tourism and business opportunities.
“He solicited similar facilities for Pakistani businessmen,” the FO statement said.
The foreign minister also conveyed greetings to Sultan of Oman Qaboos bin Said from Prime Minister Imran Khan and praised his leadership.
Both the sides expressed satisfaction on the trajectory of bilateral relations symbolised by exchanges of visits between parliamentary, political and defence leadership and ever growing people’s exchanges.
Both dignitaries stressed the importance of connectivity between Gwadar and Duqm Port and early conclusion of accords on mutual cooperation.
It was re-affirmed to broaden the horizon of interaction among technical experts through ‘Joint Working Groups’ on trade, investment, food security and energy.
While Alawi accepted an invitation to visit Pakistan, both the sides agreed to convene bilateral political consultations between foreign secretaries in Islamabad as well.
Earlier, FM Qureshi met Omani Minister of Royal Office General Sultan bin Mohammed al-Naamani in Muscat and both of them discussed bilateral ties and issues of mutual interest. The situation in the region also came under discussion during the meeting. During the meeting, the foreign minister said that Pakistan and Oman enjoy historical brotherly relations.
The foreign minister will also attend Pak-Oman Joint Ministerial Commission meeting. Representatives of various departments from both countries will also attend the meeting.
In the meeting with Omani leadership, the foreign minister will discuss bilateral relations between the two countries and other international issues.
During an interview with The Times of Oman, FM Qureshi said that discussions with Omani leadership will focus on how to improve economic partnership between the two countries, adding that the visit would “promote and build a multi-dimensional relationship”.
Officials from the gulf country’s foreign ministry, including Foreign Minister Yusuf bin Alawi received FM Qureshi upon his arrival in the Omani capital of Muscat on Tuesday.
FM Qureshi said that he held meeting with Minister of Diwan of Royal Court Sayyid Khalid bin Hilal al Busaidi in order to explore how defence partnership could be improved. He added that given the how close the two countries were, there was space to invest in special economic zones. He said that the “exceptionally warm political relationships our two countries enjoy” is not in accordance with the current levels of cooperation and that this could be improved.
The foreign minister said that Oman can also invest in Pakistan’s food industry and cooperate in resolving food insecurity in the gulf state.
“I am very happy with the discussions I have had so far,” he said.
Qureshi said he will also meet Oman’s Deputy Prime Minister Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud al Said, Chief Executive Officer and Director of State General Reserve Fund Abdulsalam Mohammed Al-Murshidi, and other senior officials.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is also expected to be signed between the two countries.
“We have some outstanding professionals all over the world, we need them. Our institutions over the years have deteriorated and we need rejuvenation, we need fresh blood,” he said.
