UK-Oman Joint Working Group Statement
Minister Tobias Ellwood and His Excellency Sayyid Badr Bin Hamad Al Busaidi chair the ninth meeting of the UK-Oman Joint Working Group.
皇冠体育app ninth meeting of the UK-Oman Joint Working Group took place in London on 27 April 2016. 皇冠体育app meeting was chaired by Tobias Ellwood MP, Minister for the Middle East at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and His Excellency Sayyid Badr Bin Hamad Al Busaidi, Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
皇冠体育app bi-annual Joint Working Group was established to further strengthen and expand the close and historic relationship between the UK and Oman. 皇冠体育appse regular discussions also underline the friendship between our two countries.
Both sides welcomed updates on further improvements to the visa system, and heard about work being done to increase trade links. A discussion on education and youth engagement, led by the British Council, looked at ways to ensure the close relationship continues into the future through the next generation.
Other sessions focused on expertise sharing in areas of strategic communications, planning, and the economy. Both sides welcomed a UK commitment to offer further support and assistance to Oman in these areas.
Mr Ellwood and Sayyid Badr also exchanged views on recent political and security developments within the Middle East, and agreed to maintain an open dialogue. Mr Ellwood reiterated the UK鈥檚 appreciation of the Sultanate of Oman鈥檚 diplomatic efforts in the region. Sayyid Badr expressed appreciation of the UK role and constructive engagement and consultation on a number of important issues.
Both parties were pleased by the progress made during the work of the Joint Working Group and expressed their shared commitment to continue to advance the relationship to the benefit of both countries.
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