By Manal Abdel Fattah
The relations between the Sultanate of Oman and Kuwait are considered a regional and international model to be emulated. This sincere brotherhood and cooperation have been strengthened to go beyond the traditional nature of their relations at various levels and have reached high levels in the official and popular aspects, based on the historical and social heritage that brings together the two countries and common political positions.
The discussions that Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, Sultan of Oman, and his brother, Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Emir of the State of Kuwait, will witness tomorrow in the Al-Alam Palace tomorrow, will be a new beginning for developing relations between the two countries for the benefit of their countries and their peoples.
The visit of His Excellency Prince Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Emir of the State of Kuwait, to his second country, the Sultanate of Oman, carries several implications, as it is his second foreign visit since he assumed the reins of government in the sisterly State of Kuwait. The highest of these is the firm desire between the leaderships of the two countries for their sublime care for these relations, which are based on solid foundations and common denominators and are proceeding at a confident pace. It will continue to bring goodness and development to the two brotherly countries.
Anyone who follows Omani-Kuwaiti relations can clearly see the diplomatic approach taken by both sides to resolve crises, disputes and positions towards many regional and international issues through peaceful means, respecting the sovereignty and independence of states and adhering to the rules of law and international conventions, and their support for the efforts and endeavors of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries aiming to achieve stability and peace in the region. And the world.
The Omani-Kuwaiti Joint Committee contributed to expanding the scope of cooperation between the two sister countries in many areas of economic, trade, education, scientific research, youth, civil service, environment and other various development fields, and created trade and investment exchange represented by the signing of many agreements and memorandums of understanding in various fields.
Ambassador Dr. Saleh bin Amer Al-Kharusi, the Sultanate of Oman’s accredited ambassador to the State of Kuwait, confirmed that the state visit by Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Emir of the State of Kuwait, to the Sultanate of Oman is of special importance as it is the second visit made by His Highness outside Kuwait since he assumed the reins of power on the 16th. Since last December.
He said: The visit represents an affirmation of the depth of ties between the leadership of the two brotherly countries and their people, and the close cooperation between them in various fields, noting that the two sister countries have commonalities and very great similarity in the foreign policy and diplomacy they pursue regarding most regional and international files and issues.
He added that the bilateral relations between the Sultanate of Oman and the State of Kuwait extend to ancient historical roots, the most important of which is maritime communication through the ports of the two countries, as Kuwaiti commercial ships used to take the Omani ports as a starting point towards East Asia, East Africa and many other destinations, including through Bab al-Mandab, and this communication allowed for the existence of relations and ties. Social interaction between the Omani and Kuwaiti peoples continues to interact positively today.
At the level of the political leadership of the two brotherly countries, he stressed that there were close relations between Sultan Qaboos bin Said – may God rest his soul – and after him Sultan Haitham bin Tariq with the princes of the State of Kuwait since the era of Sheikh Sabah Al-Salem Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah – may God rest his soul – until the accession of Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad. Al-Sabah held the reins of government in Kuwait, and their meetings carried good things for the benefit of the Omani and Kuwaiti peoples and strengthened the foundations of the Gulf House.
Regarding the areas of joint cooperation between the Sultanate of Oman and the State of Kuwait, Ambassador Saleh bin Amer Al Kharusi said: There is direct coordination at the highest level between the two sides in various fields, including at the level of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, where the citizens of each Gulf country are treated the same as the citizens of that country with regard to… Education, health care, ownership, transportation, etc.
He pointed out that there are other mechanisms concerned with direct bilateral relations, including meetings at the summit level, where the visit of His Highness the Emir of the State of Kuwait comes within this framework, and also among them is the joint Omani-Kuwaiti Committee, which was established in 2003 and meets periodically, alternately, in the capitals of the two countries, the last of which was the ninth session that was held in Muscat in Last March.
He stated that during the past nine sessions of the committee, many projects and joint cooperation programs were reached in the economic, cultural, artistic, scientific and sports sectors, in addition to the Duqm refinery project and petrochemical industries. There are also investments in other economic fields, including investment in the real estate, industrial and mining sectors.
He stressed that the statistics and figures in the areas of bilateral cooperation reflect a significant development in economic relations, and the two countries seek to build on them and work to increase them in quantity and quality, as this aspect receives the care and attention of the leadership and guidance of the two countries.
He indicated that Kuwaiti direct investment in the Sultanate of Oman, according to the National Center for Statistics and Information, amounted to 922.3 million riyals by the end of September 2023, an increase of more than 125 million riyals over last year, while the volume of trade exchange between the two countries in 2023 until November reached 790 million riyals. One million riyals, an increase of about 300% compared to the previous year, in which the volume of trade exchange amounted to about 280 million riyals.
The Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman accredited to the State of Kuwait said: The embassy seeks during the coming months to establish (Omani Cultural Days) in Kuwait under the auspices and supervision of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, the Ministry of Information and Culture, and the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters in the State of Kuwait.
