Foreign policy based on good neighbourliness

MUSCAT: The Sultanate, under the wise leadership of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, has affirmed its continuous commitment to the main fundamentals and principles of its foreign policy.

Oman’s foreign policy advocates good neighbourliness, non-interference in the internal affairs of others, respect for international laws and charters, support for cooperation among countries and the enhancement of opportunities for internal dialogue.

The Sultanate also stressed its conviction on the need to resolve differences in a spirit of harmony and tolerance that has always been the mainstay of the country’s human civilisation. Oman believes that harmony and tolerance lead to better and more lasting results than could be achieved by conflict and strife.

This was stated in the Sultanate’s speech delivered by Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Hamad al Busaidy before the 76th session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly on Monday.

Sayyid Badr reiterated the Sultanate’s continued cooperation with the UN Secretary General and all member states with the prime aim of achieving the UN’s noble goals, notably establishing and consolidating international peace and security.

In the speech, Sayyid Badr also highlighted the efforts exerted by the Sultanate while dealing with coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic. He said that “Crises and challenges are also opportunities for nations to test their readiness and enhance their capabilities. Despite the great challenges and hurdles posed to our daily lives by Covid-19, the pandemic did not discourage us, neither did weaken our resolve to confront it or address its impacts and repercussions.

“In the Sultanate of Oman, the availability of vaccines has had a significant positive effect in strengthening our drive to address this pandemic. This consolidated our hope to eradicate the pandemic and experience a gradual return to normal life,” said Sayyid Badr.

“Through preventive measures and by conducting the National Immunisation Campaign (covering all targeted age-groups), my country has been able to curb the spread of the epidemic and cut down the number of infections deaths and cases of hospitalisation. This helped us resume to normalcy all economic, commercial and social activities and opening all sorts of travel, while at the same time adhering to preventive and precautionary measures,” Sayyid Badr added.

“As we continue our efforts to tackle this pandemic, we call upon the international community to strengthen cooperation and solidarity. We also urge vaccine producing and donor states to do their best to ensure an equitable distribution of vaccines to all countries and peoples, especially those in less developed regions suffering sharp shortage of medical facilities and capabilities. The aim is to sustain international cooperation and societal interdependence and to ensure decent life for people everywhere,” said Sayyid Badr.

“We seize this opportunity to offer a word of sincere appreciation and admiration to those in charge of health systems, especially frontline teams in all countries of the world. We value the tremendous efforts and great sacrifices made by international organisations for the sake of all humanity,” said Sayyid Badr.