Algiers: The Sultanate of Oman and the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria affirmed the depth of their historical ties and cultural and social bonds. They expressed their keenness to upgrade these relations to the level of their people’s aspirations and ambitions.
This was unveiled during the 8th session of the Omani-Algerian Joint Committee that convened in Algiers on Wednesday. The session was headed by Sayyid Badr Hamad Al Busaidi, Foreign Minister of the Sultanate of Oman, and Ahmed Attaf, Algerian Minister of Foreign Affairs and National Community Abroad.
The two sides expressed their satisfaction with the two countries’ political consultation and coordination about regional and international issues of common interest. They looked forward to enhance their coordination with regional and international organisations and forums to help achieve their common interests and the interests of the Arab and Islamic nations.
The two sides also commended the progress made in developing bilateral relations under the patronage of the two countries leaders—His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik and President Abdelmadjid Tebboune of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria. They pointed out that the two leaders gave directives to advance joint coordination and cooperation at various areas of interest to the two countries’ peoples and their aspirations for further progress and prosperity.
The Omani side valued the role of Algeria, led by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, in promoting peace and stability at regional and international levels.
The Algerian side expressed appreciation for Oman’s outstanding endeavours to establish strong foundations for security and peace in regional and international arenas, thanks to the wise leadership of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik and to His Majesty the Sultan’s historic positions on Arab and international issues.
The two sides discussed the latest developments on regional and international arenas and their implications to peace, security and stability in the Arab region. They stressed the need to achieve unity among Arab countries and unify efforts to address regional and international challenges posed to the Arab region and the Palestinian cause.
The two sides voiced their condemnation and denunciation of the heinous crimes committed by the Israeli occupation forces against the Palestinian people since 7 October 2023. They expressed their rejection of any attempt to liquidate the Palestinian cause or compromise the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.
The two sides also affirmed Palestinian people’s inalienable right to establish their own independent, sovereign state within 1967 borders, with Al Quds A’Sharqiyah (East Jerusalem) as its capital.
The two sides welcomed the court order issued by the International Court of Justice to compel the Israeli occupation state to immediately stop its aggression against Rafah. They also welcomed the proclamations made by Ireland, Spain, Norway and Slovenia that recognised the State of Palestine. In this context, the two sides urged the countries that have not yet recognised the Palestinian state to follow suit, out of respect for charters of international legitimacy and in accordance with relevant international resolutions. They stressed the need for political solutions to crises in Arab countries. They also expressed their rejection of all forms of foreign interference.
In this context, the Algerian side commended the constructive efforts made by the Sultanate of Oman to ease tension and facilitate communication in the region. The Omani side extolled the efforts made by Algeria, at the level of UN Security Council, to defend Arab and Islamic issues, most notably the Palestinian cause.
The two sides stressed the need to upscale bilateral cooperation, notably in economic, commercial, investment, industrial, tourism sectors and other promising sectors. They praised the outcome of meetings between senior Omani and Algerian officials and welcomed the signing of memoranda of understanding and executive programmes in a number of fields, including the judiciary, youth, sports, standardization and national archives. This, they said, would open new vistas for cooperation and the realization of the aspirations of the two countries’ peoples.
The two sides also valued the outcome of meetings that brought together the representatives of major companies and businessmen in the two countries within the context of the 8th session of the Algerian-Omani Joint Committee. They welcomed discussions on exploring promising investment opportunities between the two countries in the fields of energy, renewable energy, petrochemicals, the pharmaceutical industry and tourism, among other sectors.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the two sides signed two memoranda of understanding in the fields of social development and the judiciary. They also signed three executive programmes in the fields of youth, sports, standardisation and the national archives.