Sultan of Oman visits Saudi Arabia to talk about economy and diplomacy

King Salman of Saudi Arabia receives Sultan of Oman Haitham ben Tareq at the Royal Palace of Neom on July 11, 2021. VIA REUTERS - COURTESY OF SAUDI ROYAL COURT

Text by: RFI Follow

3 min

The Sultan of Oman Haitham ben Tarek began this Sunday, July 11, a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia.

On his arrival in the Saudi city of Neom, a coordination council between the two countries was notably approved.

During this visit, placed under the sign of the economy, the major regional issues should not however be ignored.

Publicity

Read more

With our correspondent in Dubai,

Nicolas Keraudren

This is his first overseas trip since taking over as

ruler of Oman

in January 2020.

During this visit to Saudi Arabia by Sultan Haitham ben Tarek, economic issues will be at the heart of the agenda.

In particular, agreements in the fields of trade and transport will be signed.

Facilitate the rapprochement between Riyadh and Tehran

Oman, already facing a critical financial situation since 2014, is indeed seeking to reduce its dependence on oil.

The new sultan has also made the economy his priority for the years to come.

The region's major diplomatic issues should not be ignored at this summit, however.

Oman, nicknamed "the Switzerland of the Middle East", indeed plays a key role of mediator, in particular between the belligerents of

the war in Yemen.

"

We are working tirelessly to end the suffering of the brotherly Yemeni people

," said the Omani foreign minister.

The sultanate could also step up its efforts to facilitate rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

For several weeks, messages of appeasement have indeed been circulating between the two great regional rivals.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman receives Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tareq at Neom Airport, Saudi Arabia, July 11, 2021. VIA REUTERS - COURTESY OF SAUDI ROYAL COURT

Newsletter

Receive all international news directly in your mailbox

I subscribe

Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application

google-play-badge_FR

  • Haitham bin Tarek

  • Oman

  • Saudi Arabia

  • Mohammed bin salman

  • Salman bin Abdelaziz al-Saud