Omani Ambassador: Hosting 46th GCC Summit reflects Bahrain’s commitment to Gulf cooperation
Manama, Dec. 1 (BNA): Faisal bin Harib Al Busaidi, Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to the Kingdom of Bahrain, said that Bahrain’s hosting of the 46th Gulf Cooperation Council Summit reflects its commitment to supporting Gulf cooperation and highlights its role in promoting regional stability and integration. He noted that successive GCC summits are essential for unifying Gulf positions on regional and international challenges.
Ambassador Al Busaidi said that the regular meetings of the GCC demonstrate that Gulf security is a collective responsibility and that common goals require coordinated efforts across politics, economy, security, and culture. He added that a unified Gulf stance serves as a safeguard in crises and facilitates decisions that benefit the people of member states and the wider region.
He emphasised the importance of holding the summit at a time of global economic, political, and geostrategic change and commended the GCC’s role in establishing the Customs Union, the common market, and projects such as electricity and railway links.
The Omani Ambassador said that relations between the Kingdom and Oman are rooted in a history extending to thousands of years. He noted that the Dilmun and Magan civilisations established early ties for trade and cultural exchange, with ports in both regions serving as meeting points for ships from Mesopotamia, India, Persia, and other lands.
He added that this exchange was not limited to goods such as copper, pearls, dates, and frankincense, but also included cultural and intellectual interaction, laying the foundation for strong human ties between the two peoples. These historical links are reflected today in formal diplomatic relations, supported by the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, the Sultan of the Sultanate of Oman, and in the people-to-people bond based on communication and mutual respect.
Ambassador Al Busaidi empasised that official visits between the two countries’ leaders have been key to enhancing bilateral ties, continuing a tradition established under the late Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa and Sultan Qaboos bin Said, which laid the groundwork for strategic cooperation across sectors. Recent visits by both leaders have reinforced this commitment and deepened cooperation in economic, political, and cultural domains.
He added that this strong partnership has continued under the leadership of His Majesty the King and HM Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, highlighting the stability and continuity of relations across generations. He noted that HM the Sultan of Oman’s visit to Bahrain in 2022 renewed the shared commitment to enhancing strategic cooperation, while HM the King’s visit to Oman in January provided an opportunity to develop relations and deepen cooperation in economic, political, and cultural domains. Shortly afterwards, His Majesty the King made a private visit to the city of Salalah in August, which highlighted the humanitarian and social bonds between the two peoples and reiterated the focus on shared heritage and direct engagement.
The Omani Ambassador expressed hope that the 46th GCC Summit would achieve tangible progress in Gulf economic integration, including facilitating the movement of capital and labour, enhancing collective security and cyber capabilities, and supporting initiatives for youth, women, and scientific research.
Ambassador Al Busaidi underlined the importance of Gulf unity as a source of strength, noting that the GCC states are not only major energy suppliers but also key contributors to regional security, development, and stability.
He highlighted the key role of Gulf media in promoting a shared identity and raising regional awareness, emphasising that modern media platforms can unify public discourse, showcase developmental achievements, celebrate youth innovation and technology, and highlight the region’s shared history.
