Omani Sultan Haitham bin Tarik’s state visit to Angola, conducted on Thursday and Friday at the invitation of Angolan President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, ended with a joint call by the two countries on conflicts. Oman and Angola called for an immediate ceasefire in ongoing conflicts in Africa, the Middle East and Eastern Europe.
The joint statement said the parties should engage in peaceful talks and maintain dialogue to achieve lasting solutions to the conflicts. The two leaders also expressed deep concern over developments resulting from the ongoing conflicts.
Palestine and the Strait of Hormuz on the agenda
On the Palestinian issue, Haitham bin Tarik and Lourenço expressed support for the principle of peaceful coexistence, the right of peoples to self-determination and United Nations resolutions. The leaders condemned human rights violations and indiscriminate attacks against civilians.
The two sides identified recourse to international law, respect for the sovereignty of states and non-interference in internal affairs as priorities.
Lourenço said he stood in solidarity with countries affected by the Strait of Hormuz crisis and called for the situation to return to normal. The joint statement also commended Oman’s efforts to maintain dialogue in order to reduce tensions and achieve a peaceful solution.
Cooperation areas to be expanded
Oman and Angola agreed to deepen bilateral cooperation and identify new areas of collaboration. Diplomacy, oil, energy, mining, finance, tourism, agriculture, fisheries, transport, logistics services and housing were listed among the areas for cooperation.
During the visit, 10 legal cooperation documents and three memoranda of understanding between public companies were exchanged. The two leaders witnessed the exchange of the documents signed between their countries.
The two sides decided to hold regular bilateral political consultations to monitor the implementation of the agreed commitments. It was agreed that the next political consultations and the first meeting of the bilateral committee would be held in Muscat, Oman’s capital; the date will be determined later through diplomatic channels.
Haitham bin Tarik left Angola on Friday after completing his two-day state visit. Before his departure, the Omani Sultan expressed his satisfaction in a telegram of thanks to Lourenço over the attention and hospitality shown to him and his accompanying delegation.
Haitham bin Tarik also said the visit had strengthened the partnership and cooperation between the two countries and created new opportunities in various fields.
