Muscat, April 14: The sultanate and Turkey have agreed to strengthen ties following top-level talks here on Monday. His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said and Turkish President Abdullah Gul, who arrived here earlier in the day on his first official visit to Oman, underlined the importance of stepping up bilateral cooperation, especially because both countries ‘share the same foreign policy principles’.
Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdallah, in a statement to the Press after the discussions, said Sultan Qaboos and Gul reviewed Oman-Turkey relations and the latest regional and international political developments.
“His Majesty the Sultan affirmed the sultanate’s keenness to benefit from Turkish construction and other companies and voiced a desire to further develop bilateral relations,” Abdallah said.
Commenting on regional issues, Sultan Qaboos noted that the Middle East had “witnessed many crises and wars, and therefore joint efforts are needed to help avoid more wars in the region, taking into account the region’s global importance.”
The President said his country was keen to expand cooperation with the sultanate in all sectors, especially in the cultural field. He referred to the historic and cultural bonds between the sultanate and Turkey, noting that they were two Islamic countries with a
rich past.
He reaffirmed that his country and the sultanate shared similar approaches to foreign policy, as both depended on “constructive dialogue as a means of resolving political and non-political disputes.” This, he added, was an important logic in regional and international cooperation as it provided common grounds for the establishment of peace and stability.”
Gul also explained Turkey’s efforts in developing relations with neighbouring countries, its ties with Russia, the EU and Arab states and its support for the cause of Arab and Islamic nations.
Earlier, upon his arrival here on a three-day official visit, Gul was given a warm reception and was greeted at the Muscat Museum Gate by Sultan Qaboos and other top dignitaries.
--Agencies
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