EU delegation hails Oman peace efforts in Yemen, Libya

Muscat: A European Union (EU) delegation touring the Sultanate has hailed Oman for its “consistent efforts” in mediating between the parties involved in various regional conflicts, an official communiqué of the European Parliament said.
“Oman plays a very prominent diplomatic role in the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region. The delegation expresses its appreciation for Oman’s consistent efforts to mediate between the parties in various conflicts, notably Yemen and Libya,” the statement read.
The EU delegation was led by Michèle Alliot-Marie, Chair, Gilles Pargneaux and Alyn Smith from the European Parliament’s Delegation for Relations with the Arab Peninsula for an eighth inter-parliamentary meeting between the European parliament and the Majlis Al Shura.
The delegation also welcomed Oman’s conviction that each of these conflicts can only be solved by peaceful means through an inclusive political process with the parties concerned, the statement said.
“Oman’s actions are complementary to the European Union’s diplomatic efforts,” it said, adding that the EU delegation has exchanged views with its Omani counterparts on a number of issues, including the political, economic and social situation in the Sultanate.
Issues in the Middle East region and the prospects for deeper relations between the EU and Oman and the Gulf Cooperation Council were also discussed.
“The relations are excellent, including at the inter-parliamentary level,” the statement said, adding, “There is space for more intense political dialogue, cooperation in security issues, closer economic and commercial relations and more extensive people to people contact.”
“The wisdom of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said is a source of inspiration for this policy,” said Michèle Alliot-Marie.
The EU delegation also held meetings with higher authorities in the Sultanate, including with His Highness Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmood Al Said, Chairman of the Majlis Al Shura, Khalid bin Hilal Al Ma’awali, and other senior government officials.
The delegation called for closer economic relations, including direct investments between the EU and Oman.