UAE, Oman vow to further boost cooperation

Abu Dhabi President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Sultan Qaboos Bin Saeed of Oman yesterday held talks in Al Ain on relations between the UAE and Oman and ways to promote them in various spheres.

They exchanged views on the latest regional developments and the march of the Cooperation Council of the Arab States of the Gulf to realise the aspirations and ambitions of the peoples of member states and to serve matters of common concern.

The talks were held in presence of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Shaikh Khalifa hailed Sultan Qaboos' UAE visit to "his second home country as a source of pride and a sign of sincere brotherhood and friendship."

He also described the visit as part of meetings and exchange of visits to further promote ties in consultation and continuous coordination between the leaderships to enhance the historic ties in the best interest of the two countries."

Sultan Qaboos expressed happiness over visiting the UAE and meeting Shaikh Khalifa. He hailed the progress in relations between the leaderships and peoples of the two countries.

Common interests

Sultan Qaboos stressed that the relations between the UAE and Oman will see more progress in various spheres thanks to a common interest by the leaderships of the two countries.

Sultan Qaboos was also received at Al Rawda Palace by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in the Western Region; Lieutenant General Shaikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior; Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister; Shaikh Hamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chief of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince's Court; Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research; Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Public Works, Shaikh Sultan Bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), Shaikh Tahnoun Bin Mohammad Al Nahyan, the Ruler's Representative in the Eastern Region, shaikhs and senior officials.

Sultan Qaboos was accompanied by Sayyed Khalid Bin Hilal Al Busaidi, Minister of the Diwan of Royal Court, General Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Nu'mani, Royal Office Minister, Sayyed Badr Bin Saud Bin Harib Al Busaidi, Minister Responsible for Defence Affairs; Yousuf Bin Alawi Bin Abdullah, Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs; Darwish Bin Esmail Al Beloushi, Minister Responsible for Financial Affairs, and other senior officials.

Later, Shaikh Khalifa hosted a lunch banquet in honour of Sultan Qaboos and the accompanying delegation.

Sultan Qaboos came to the UAE the last time on a two-day visit on July 11 last year.