Belarus and Oman have become not just partners, but friends. This was stated by the President of Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenko, at a meeting with the Crown Prince – Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports of the Sultanate of Oman, Zein bin Haitham Al Said, as reported by a BELTA correspondent.
The meeting participants also included the President of the Oman Investment Authority, Abdelsalam Mohammed Al-Murshidi.
"It seems to me that as a result of my visit to your beautiful country at the time (in December 2024, Aleksandr Lukashenko visited Oman on a working visit. – BELTA’s note), we have become not just partners, but already friends. We have exchanged many proposals, along which we can build our cooperation. We are very interested in your country. I will not hide it, as a certain alternative in that region for promoting our interests," said the head of state.
He stressed that, first and foremost, the parties are working on issues of trade and economic cooperation. For Belarus, the use of Oman's port infrastructure is of particular interest in order to jointly develop trade with other countries, including Africa.
Aleksandr Lukashenko stated that the parties have already become convinced that they can cooperate on the outlined projects: "Belarus has much that interests the Omani side today. You are very interesting to us in many areas. This includes recreation for our people, agriculture, and the supply of products. And, most importantly, your ports, through which we can operate in the region."
The head of state noted that he recalls his meeting in Muscat with the Sultan of Oman with great sincere warmth. "A very decent, kind person. We are ready to receive him in Belarus with great pleasure at a time convenient for you. Convey to him the kindest and warmest wishes and tell him that I am waiting for him in Minsk," said the President.
In turn, Zein bin Haitham Al Said expressed gratitude for the hospitality and warm welcome, and conveyed greetings from his father, the Sultan of Oman.
"In fact, since your visit, we have made significant progress in our relations. We started with the sphere of tourism and hospitality. We are very pleased that we managed to open a direct flight from Minsk to our southern city of Salalah. And many Belarusians have already had the opportunity to visit Oman. We have also launched a number of other mutually beneficial projects. I am very glad that the projects we have outlined will indeed make a serious contribution to increasing trade turnover and investment cooperation between us," the Crown Prince noted.