Tuesday 30 / April / 2024
Muscat: The Diplomatic World Magazine has described the Sultanate of Oman as an architect of peace in the Middle East.
The magazine highlighted the foundations of the Sultanate of Oman’s foreign policy, its model of peaceful coexistence and harmony, the national tourism strategy, the unique components of tourism, the aspects of development of the Omani media, the preservation of cultural values, the strength of the Omani economy, and competitiveness with the diversity of promising investment opportunities.
Barbara Dietrich, CEO of the Diplomatic World, conducted interviews with several of their Excellencies, including the Ministers and Excellencies. She said in her opening speech that many countries work tirelessly for peace. After she visited the Sultanate of Oman, she expressed her admiration for the model of peaceful coexistence and harmony that “inspired” her, as she described it.
The CEO described the Sultanate of Oman as “a discreet architect of peace in the Middle East” and noted that it is famous for its mediation diplomacy. He added that balancing interests, tolerance towards differences, and a determined search for mutual benefits constitute some of the basic building blocks of the Sultanate of Oman’s practical foreign policy.
His Excellency Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, Minister of Foreign Affairs, said in an interview with the magazine: “The principle of the Sultanate of Oman’s management of its international relations is focused on a very specific goal, which is to listen to and understand the interests of others, express our views and opinions, and speak the truth as we see it.”
His Excellency added, “Omani foreign policy highly values the principles of mutual trust, transparency, and maintaining credibility at all times. It does not adopt a hidden agenda or practice tricks. We are very honest in what we believe in, and we speak with our friends frankly, even if we disagree with each other. We cannot be hypocrites."
His Excellency clarified that the foreign policy of the Sultanate of Oman is based on constructive neutrality and non-interference in the affairs of others, and it does not accept the interference of others in its internal affairs. Pointing out that "pragmatic" realism, openness and good neighbourliness constitute important principles within the framework of Omani foreign policy, which always encourages the importance of dialogue to include all opposing parties without marginalising any party or preferring any party over another.
His Excellency noted that the Sultanate of Oman encouraged rapprochement between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran. He noted Omani efforts to release detainees in Yemen or Iran and diplomatic efforts aimed at reversing Syria's situation in the Arab world. Regarding Gaza, His Excellency pointed to the growing global division over the Israeli attack on Gaza, stressing that the global consensus we are currently witnessing is in favour of achieving justice for the Palestinian people.
In this regard, His Excellency said: “We are witnessing countries that see the behaviour of Israel and its supporters as not only hypocritical, or disproportionate, but also genocidal. I believe strategies that involve escalating conflicts or silencing those who disagree with us do not lead to peace."
His Excellency pointed out that the only way to combat extremism is to stop the endless cycle of violence, try to understand points of view and share our own ideas on the basis of inclusiveness and equality, even if the divisions sometimes seem too wide or difficult to overcome. In this way, we can chart a meaningful path to peace.
