Brussels: The Shura Council held its 12th joint meeting with the European Parliament in the Belgian capital, Brussels. The meeting took place at the European Parliament headquarters in Brussels, as part of the official visit by the Council's delegation to the Kingdom of Belgium.
According to Oman News Agency, the meeting explored a number of areas of mutual interest between the Sultanate of Oman and the European Parliament. The two sides discussed means of promoting the political and strategic partnership between the European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, as well as ways to enhance cooperation in economic fields, trade, renewable energy, digitalization, and supply chains. They also addressed means of supporting free trade agreements, expanded investment partnerships, and improving the business environment.
The meeting also discussed aspects of joint work on issues of regional security and conflict resolution, in addition to reviewing the most significant international developments related to the current regional situation. The European Parliament lauded the role undertaken by the Sultanate of Oman as a mediator in many files supporting conflict resolution in the region.
During the meeting, the two sides touched on aspects related to strengthening Gulf-European parliamentary dialogue on issues of common interest, and aspects of trade cooperation between Oman and the European Union in many fields, including renewable energy and green hydrogen, as well as a range of topics related to human rights.
The meeting also included discussions on the prospects for parliamentary cooperation and enhancing its areas between the Shura Council and the European Parliament, and activating frameworks for cooperation in the legislative field through parliamentary diplomacy.
Tahir Mubkhout Al Junaibi, Deputy Chairman of the Shura Council and head of the delegation, underlined the advanced relations between the Sultanate of Oman and the European Union, praising the efforts and initiatives of the European Parliament on many current issues in the region, and the importance of the parliamentary relations between the Shura Council and the European Parliament through joint meetings and reciprocal visits.
On his turn, Dr. Reinhold Lopatka, Head of the European Parliament's Delegation for Relations with the Arabian Peninsula, affirmed the level of relations and existing cooperation between the Sultanate of Oman and the European Parliament, expressing his aspiration to enhance this cooperation through the exchange of experiences and joint coordination on regional and international issues.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the two sides underscored their commitment to sustaining parliamentary cooperation and boosting relations between the Sultanate of Oman and the European Union, in a manner that achieves common interests and supports cooperation efforts in various legislative, economic, and developmental fields. They also emphasized the role of parliaments in promoting international understanding and contributing to the consolidation of stability through continuous dialogue and effective partnerships, in line with the aspirations of peoples for a more secure and prosperous future.
The meeting was attended by Her Excellency Ru'aa Issa Al Zadjali, Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to the Kingdom of Belgium and Head of Mission to the European Union.
As part of the official visit to the European Parliament, the Shura Council delegation met with Pieter De Roover, President of the Belgian Chamber of Representatives.
The meeting discussed areas of common interest between the Sultanate of Oman and the European Union, as well as existing trade and economic relations with the Kingdom of Belgium and ways to boost them. It also reviewed the investment opportunities available in Oman in a number of fields, including renewable energy and logistics, with particular emphasis on the promising opportunities in Duqm.
The head of the delegation also met with Christel Schaldemose, Vice-President of the European Parliament.
During the meeting, views were exchanged on many regional and international issues of mutual interest. The two sides explored means of enhancing relations in the parliamentary field and the exchange of visits and experiences between the Shura Council and the European Parliament.