President Sheikh Mohamed hails 'deep bonds of friendship' on Oman state visit

President Sheikh Mohamed arrived in Oman on Tuesday to begin a two-day state visit.

Sheikh Mohamed was welcomed on his arrival at Al Alam Palace in Muscat by Sultan Haitham.

The UAE delegation was greeted with a guard of honour consisting of hundreds of members of the Royal Cavalry of Oman and the Royal Guard of Oman.

The official reception included several Omani musical and cultural performances, with crowds waving the flags of both countries.

The national anthems of both nations were played, followed by a 21-gun salute, state news agency Wam reported.

During their first meeting, the two leaders spoke of the long-standing ties that exist between the two countries and discussed ways to strengthen these relations further.

Sultan Haitham spoke of his pride in the close ties that Oman and the UAE enjoy. Sheikh Mohamed thanked Oman for the warm welcome and expressed his best wishes to the people of Oman.

They discussed opportunities to build upon the growing economic ties between the UAE and Oman, as well as areas in which the two nations can increase collaboration, including the investment, financial, industrial and cultural sectors.

Their talks centred on the two leaders’ shared vision for a secure and stable region that promotes sustainable development and supports a thriving economy.

After the official talks, Sheikh Mohamed and Sultan Haitham held a one-on-one session.

"Thank you to my brother the Sultan of Oman for the warm welcome. Our two nations are united by deep bonds of history, friendship and common interest, and I look forward to working together to continue forging a brighter future for our people," Sheikh Mohamed said on Twitter.

He also spoke on the special place that Oman holds in the hearts of the Emirati people.

Sheikh Mohamed recalled the bond between UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said.

"The leadership of the two countries will proceed, God willing, on their path and approach," said Sheikh Mohamed.

He said the UAE and Oman benefit from diverse economic and trade relations, which the two leaders are keen to expand through further collaboration and investment.

The trip also aims to reinforce the importance of youth and culture to the future progress of both countries.

The President said the world was witnessing major transformations that could pose challenges for nations.

He stressed that these developments called for strong co-operation between countries in the region, particularly GCC and Arab nations, to develop capabilities to face future challenges.

On the first day of the visit, Sheikh Mohamed was awarded the Order of Al Said Medal by Sultan Haitham.

It is the highest order granted by the country and is typically presented to presidents, monarchs and heads of state in appreciation for their exceptional role in strengthening relations between their nations and Oman.

Sultan Haitham also presented Sheikh Mohamed with a traditional Omani sword.

Sheikh Mohamed awarded Sultan Haitham the Order of Zayed as an expression of the bonds of brotherhood that unite them and in recognition of the Omani leader's efforts to further boost co-operation between the two countries.

The Order of Zayed is the highest decoration awarded by the UAE and is presented to royalty, heads of state and presidents.

Sheikh Mohamed also presented Sultan Haitham with a model of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

A dinner banquet was also hosted in the honour of Sheikh Mohamed.

The trip to Oman is Sheikh Mohamed's second official overseas visit as President. His first was to France in July.

The UAE and Oman share ties stretching back decades and they have signed many agreements in a wide variety of fields, such as culture, education and trade.

“Roots [between the two] are deep in history. We in the UAE today have extensive and strong relations with Oman that are based on social, cultural ties that we want to enhance further in many other sectors,” Mohammed Al Suwaidi, UAE ambassador to Oman, said in a media briefing on Monday.

Investment and the economy will be at the top of the agenda during the visit, the diplomat said. The high-level delegation accompanying Sheikh Mohamed to Oman includes economists, he added.

Oman's envoy to the UAE, Ahmed Al Busaidi, said the trip would bring investment and business opportunities.

“The keenness of both states to enhance and deepen ties has increased growth in many fields which can positively impact the region,” Dr Al Busaidi said.

UAE-Oman diplomatic ties — in pictures