ISLAMABAD: Oman and Pakistan on Wednesday signed an agreement and four memorandums of understanding (MoUs) in Islamabad in the presence of Mohammad Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of Pakistan, during the official visit of Sayyid Badr bin Hamad al Busaidi, Foreign Minister. The documents include an agreement on visa exemption for holders of official, diplomatic, special and service passports, and MoUs for cooperation in telecommunications and information technology, radio and television, news and information exchange, and between the National Records and Archives Authority and the National Archives of Pakistan.
The documents were signed by Sayyid Badr on behalf of Oman and by Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, on behalf of Pakistan. The visit also included the eighth session of the Oman-Pakistan Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC), a bilateral meeting between the two ministers and a joint press conference.
TALKS WITH PRIME MINISTER
The Pakistani Prime Minister received Sayyid Badr, who conveyed the greetings of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik and His Majesty's wishes for further progress and prosperity for Pakistan and its people. The Prime Minister returned his greetings to His Majesty the Sultan, wishing Oman and its people continued progress and growth. The two sides underlined the historical relations and deep-rooted ties between the two countries, and the economic and investment opportunities both are working to develop, building on strong cultural bonds, human communication and political and diplomatic cooperation. The meeting also touched on regional affairs and efforts to contain crises and their repercussions on security and stability in the region, stressing the need to keep channels of communication and dialogue open among all concerned parties. The Prime Minister commended the role played by Oman, under the leadership of His Majesty the Sultan, in bringing views closer together and supporting peaceful solutions.
CALL FOR DIALOGUE
At the joint press conference after the JMC session, Sayyid Badr stressed the importance of dialogue, diplomacy and constructive engagement in addressing regional challenges, de-escalating tensions and resolving disputes in a way that prevents further escalation. He commended Pakistan's constructive role in supporting diplomatic efforts in the region, saying such efforts were significant in building confidence and advancing peaceful solutions. In his speech to the commission, Sayyid Badr praised Pakistan's efforts in creating space for dialogue between Iran and the United States, saying that efforts reinforcing communication and understanding gained special importance amid regional developments.
Dar said the two sides had exchanged views on the war between the United States and Iran, as well as regional and international developments. He underlined the importance of bringing the two countries' positions closer and of intensifying efforts to address these issues and restore peace and stability to the region. Both sides underscored the need to continue diplomatic efforts and prioritise dialogue in resolving disputes and de-escalating tensions.
JOINT COMMISSION
Opening the JMC session, Sayyid Badr said Omani-Pakistani relations rested on long-standing historical, geographical, commercial, maritime and human ties, and that the commission offered an opportunity to expand cooperation and turn the abundant opportunities in both countries into practical outcomes. Dar praised Oman's standing in the region and its balanced approach to strengthening good-neighbourly relations and cooperation among the countries of the region under the leadership of His Majesty the Sultan. He stressed the importance of building on the strength of relations and of institutional follow-up on the commission's work so that understandings are turned into practical steps.
The commission discussed developing cooperation in trade, investment, industry, agriculture, the financial sector, energy, oil and gas, logistics, ports, food security, technology and tourism, as well as labour, consular affairs, security, defence, climate change, civil aviation, education, media and culture, along with strengthening partnerships between institutions and the private sector in both countries.
MINISTERS' MEETING
In their bilateral meeting, the two ministers also discussed strengthening partnerships between private sector institutions and making use of available opportunities to establish projects that serve the shared interests of the two countries. Dar praised Oman's role in facilitating communication and bringing views closer on regional issues, and both sides stressed the importance of continued coordination and adherence to the rules of international law in support of de-escalation and regional and international security and stability.
The agreement and MoUs represent a practical step towards strengthening institutional cooperation between the two countries, coordination and the exchange of expertise among relevant entities. — ONA
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