First visit by Omani foreign minister to Croatia – a step forward in bilateral relations

On Wednesday, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman received the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Sultanate of Oman, Sayyid Badr Albusaidi, whose visit to Zagreb marked the first visit by a high-ranking Omani official to the Republic of Croatia in the history of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
 
Given the numerous similarities between Croatia and Oman, as well as their complementarity, the talks focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation, particularly in the economic sphere - in energy, including partnership in renewable sources, digitalization, food industry, defence industry, and tourism. Expert visits were agreed upon to explore possible connections between Croatian and Omani ports, which is of mutual interest.
 
The ministers exchanged opinions regarding current challenges in the two countries’ neighbourhoods, Ukraine and the Middle East, including the crisis in the Red Sea. Croatia and Oman advocate for the initiation of a political process leading to a lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian issue, namely a two-state solution. Both sides prioritize the cessation of civilian casualties and the urgent delivery of humanitarian aid to the population of Gaza. Grlić Radman briefed his Omani counterpart on the situation in the Western Balkans and the expected EU decision regarding the opening of accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina.
 
A new dimension to bilateral relations will be added by the Memorandum of Understanding on Political Consultations signed today between the Republic of Croatia and the Sultanate of Oman, establishing regular dialogue between the two diplomacies on foreign policy issues and promoting cooperation in international organizations and forums.
 
Croatia confirmed its support for further strengthening the partnership between the EU and Oman, including visa liberalization, as well as dialogue between the EU and the Gulf Cooperation Council member states, based on shared goals of stability and prosperity at the regional and global levels.
 
Grlić Radman underscored Croatia’s appreciation for Oman’s policy of dialogue and peaceful dispute resolution, as well as its successes in a series of mediation missions in regional conflicts from the 1970s to the present day. Albusaidi confirmed readiness to enhance cooperation with Croatia, which the people of Oman consider a friendly country.
 
As part of the official visit, Albusaidi was courteously received by Prime Minister Andrej Plenković. Thanks to very substantive meetings, relations between Croatia and Oman have been elevated to a higher level.

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