Saudi Crown Prince Meets Oman’s Sultan to Discuss Regional Security and Stability

His Royal Highness Sultan Haitham bin Tarik of Oman met with His Royal Highness Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah today for high level talks on regional security, stability, and cooperation.

Tensions have flared in the region and Gulf coordination is becoming more critical to the meeting. The leaders spoke, among other topics, of what was going on in the Middle East, the importance of diplomatic de-escalation, and efforts to keep commercial shipping and energy supply routes secure.

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Regional Security Takes Centre Stage

One important key area covered in the Jeddah meeting was the security landscape and de-escalation of conflict in the region. The dialogue, peaceful dispute settlement, respect for national sovereignty, and efforts to avoid further escalation in the region were highlighted.

In addition, the leaders conducted a review of maritime security, including security in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway. Ensuring the safe navigation of the Gulf continues to be critical to stable global supply-chains.

Oman’s Growing Diplomatic Role

Oman’s decades of experience as a diplomatic mediator lends prestige to its efforts to coordinate with Saudi Arabia. A dialogue and mediation culture has always been ongoing in Muscat, providing opportunity to conflict parties from the region and the international community to engage in dispute resolution through it.

More concerted Saudi-Omani collaboration could thus help to lower tensions more generally. The cooperation of the two countries also underscores the role played by approaches which are led by the Gulf in regional stability and crisis management.

Strengthening Economic and Investment Ties

The subject of security wasn’t the sole one that was discussed. The delegations also discussed bilateral economic cooperation activities through the Saudi-Omani Coordination Council, potential opportunities in logistics, energy, infrastructure and investment sectors were also discussed.

Other highlights of PIF’s expanding economic engagement were the expanded operations of the Saudi Public Investment Fund office in Muscat and a new SFOC office due to open in 2018. This can contribute to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals and Oman’s development goals in Vision 2040.

What the Jeddah Meeting Means for Gulf Stability?

The Saudi-Omani consultations highlight the importance of the coordinated Saudi-Omani diplomacy. So Saudi Arabia and Oman will play an important role to prevent any escalation when they combine both their political and economic power with their mediation expertise.

Also discussed are the crucial relationship between regional stability and economic development. Coordinating maritime traffic, ensuring energy supplies remain reliable and developing bilateral investment relations are key to both countries’ transformation roadmaps.

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