The text of the following statement was released by the governments of the United States of America and the Sultanate of Oman.
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken hosted Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi in Washington today to celebrate the Treaty of Amity, Economic Relations and Consular Rights signed on December 20, 1958, as well as the long history of cooperation. it started with its predecessor, the Treaty of Friendship and Commerce, signed 189 years ago on September 21, 1833.
Recognizing the strength of the bilateral relationship, Secretary Blinken and Foreign Minister Albusaidi announced the launch of the first US-Oman Strategic Dialogue, which will include three working groups focused on education and cultural exchange, trade and investment, and renewable energy. Workgroups regularly and visibly plan to meet shared goals.
Both sides emphasized the historic, strategic, and growing partnership between the United States and the Sultanate of Oman on regional security. The Secretary thanked Foreign Minister Albusaidi for Oman’s steadfast support in humanitarian matters, including his role in securing the freedom of American citizen Baquer Namazi.
Secretary Blinken and Foreign Minister Albusaidi confirmed that there is no military solution to the conflict in Yemen, and emphasized their support for Yemen’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence. They have called for an extension of the UN-brokered truce and the launch of an inclusive political process so that all Yemenis can determine the future of their country. Extending the ceasefire will provide immediate relief to the people of Yemen through the release of salary payments and other measures. Only a political solution to the conflict can address the dire humanitarian crisis in Yemen and enable a more stable and prosperous future. Secretary Blinken thanked Oman for its important role in securing the truce in recent months and expressed his hope that, with Oman’s support and full consensus in the region and beyond, the Yemeni parties will reach an agreement to achieve a comprehensive truce. extension soon and put the country back on the road to peace.
Underscoring the importance of people-to-people ties, the two governments are committed to moving forward to discuss the re-establishment of academic and cultural programs, such as the Fulbright program for Omani scholars, and to expand professional academic and research exchanges, among others. Cooperation in support of the Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement signed on January 22, 2016.
Both countries hailed the 2009 US-Oman Free Trade Agreement as a foundation for expanding trade opportunities. The signing of a memorandum of understanding between Oman and the Export-Import Bank of the United States, which will deepen cooperation in key economic sectors from renewable energy to manufacturing, has been welcomed.
Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening global climate action and supporting access to affordable, reliable and clean energy. Secretary Blinken praised Oman’s announcement of a goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050, as well as Oman’s goal of producing one million tons of green hydrogen by 2030. Both countries have highlighted this goal as a useful focus in the context of their shared desire. deepening public and private cooperation in the innovation and expansion of clean energy.
The United States welcomed Oman’s decision to host the Middle East Desalination Research Center (MEDRC) and advance regional peacebuilding through shared solutions to freshwater scarcity. Secretary Blinken and Foreign Minister Albusaidi also discussed the strong commitment to a negotiated two-state solution as the basis for peace between Israelis and Palestinians.
Secretary Blinken and Foreign Minister Albusaidi also affirmed that international disputes must be resolved through peaceful means, and in accordance with international law, according to the UN Charter, and discussed the importance of protecting the fundamental freedoms and values contained therein.
