Muscat – In a statement to mark his visit to Oman, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al Nahyan, President of the UAE, spoke of the special place Oman holds in the hearts of the Emirati leadership and people.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed said that the longstanding ties between the UAE and Oman are characterised by a shared social and cultural fabric based on deep bonds of brotherly relations between the two nations.

He expressed his pride in the historical close relations between the leaders of the UAE and Oman, including His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, and recalled the special brotherly bond enjoyed by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan and the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said.

Commenting on the ongoing relations, the UAE President stressed that “the leadership of the two countries will proceed, God willing, on their path and approach”.

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

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed stressed that the UAE supports measures to further strengthen regional cooperation and progress, and is keen to work with its neighbours, including the sultanate, to promote sustainable development that enables people to realise their full potential.

The UAE President also said that the world is witnessing major transformations that can pose challenges for nations, their people and their interests. He stressed that these developments call for strong cooperation between the countries of the region, particularly the GCC and Arab nations, in order to develop their own capabilities to face future challenges.