Muscat: Oman’s Foreign Minister and his Japanese counterpart stressed the importance of reaching a final agreement and a political solution that would reduce tensions in the region.
During a press conference in Muscat, the two ministers also emphasised the need to intensify international efforts to ensure freedom of maritime navigation through the Strait of Hormuz in accordance with international law, while ensuring the smooth movement of maritime transport and energy supplies.
Oman’s Foreign Minister said economic relations represented an important pillar of the partnership between the two countries. He welcomed the growing interest and participation of Japanese companies in the Sultanate of Oman, particularly in the energy, renewable and low-carbon technology, logistics and infrastructure sectors.
He said the Sultanate of Oman looked forward to a positive outcome from discussions on a free trade agreement between Japan and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. Reaching an agreement would help strengthen bilateral trade, investment and supply chain security, benefiting the peoples of both countries.
The Foreign Minister said Oman remained firmly committed to maritime security and international law and rejected further escalation or conflict. Achieving sustainable security in the Strait of Hormuz required lasting peace in the region through restraint, diplomacy and continued engagement to address the underlying causes of instability, including exclusionary policies and non-compliance with international law.
He said Oman was determined to continue working with Japan and all international partners to support dialogue, justice and peaceful solutions. Partnerships based on trust, realism and diplomacy were becoming increasingly important amid uncertainty in the region and the world.
Japan’s Foreign Minister said Japan and Oman were working to strengthen cooperation across a wide range of fields.
He expressed Japan’s appreciation for Oman’s stable and long-term supplies of crude oil and liquefied natural gas and affirmed the two countries’ determination to strengthen cooperation in clean energy, including the development of hydrogen and ammonia.
The Japanese minister said his country was preparing a comprehensive cooperation plan to strengthen economic resilience and energy security in light of the current situation in the Middle East.
He said the situation concerning Iran was at a highly critical stage and expressed hope for further constructive discussions to reduce tensions as soon as possible, ensure freedom of navigation through the Straits of Hormuz and Bab Al Mandab, and strengthen coordination between the two countries.
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