Brussels, Belgium – An official reception ceremony was held at the Royal Palace in Brussels on Tuesday for His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik on the occasion of his state visit to the Kingdom of Belgium.

As the motorcade of His Majesty the Sultan headed to the Royal Palace Square, it was surrounded by a group of motorcycles.

Before reaching the main square of the Royal Palace, a group of horse riders surrounded the parade. Then, a cavalcade of knights from the Royal Belgian Cavalry lined up on both sides of the path.

Upon His Majesty’s arrival at the Royal Palace, King Phillippe Leopold Louis Marie, King of the Belgians and Queen Mathilde Marie Christine Ghislaine, Queen of the Belgians were at the forefront of His Majesty the Sultan’s welcoming party.

The Royal couple welcomed His Majesty the Sultan, wishing him and his accompanying delegation a pleasant stay. Then, accompanied by the Belgian monarch, His Majesty the Sultan inspected the guard of honour.

After that, King Philippe Leopold escorted His Majesty to the dais of honour, where the Omani Royal Anthem and the Belgian Royal Anthem were played.

Then, the King and His Majesty the Sultan headed to the interior of the palace and posed for a commemorative photo in the reception area of the Royal Palace.

Afterwards, His Majesty the Sultan and King Phillippe held a bilateral meeting.

During the meeting, the two monarchs underscored their joint keenness to boost cooperation and partnership relations in a manner that contributes to stimulating the two countries’ economies and expanding vistas of cooperation and exchange of benefits.

Then, His Majesty the Sultan signed the Visitors Book.

Exploring economic collaboration

His Majesty the Sultan and Alexander De Croo, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Belgium, held an official session of talks at the Belgian Prime Minister’s office, Le Lambermont, on Tuesday.

The session discussed areas of the investment and economic cooperation, and means of promoting them to serve joint interests. The two sides exchanged views on international developments and global changes, as well as investment opportunities available in various sectors.

The session was attended from the Omani side by H H Sayyid Shihab bin Tarik al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for Defence Affairs, Sayyid Khalid bin Hilal al Busaidi, Minister of the Diwan of Royal Court, Gen Sultan bin Mohammed al Nu’amani, Minister of the Royal Office, Sayyid Badr bin Hamad al Busaidi, Foreign Minister, Dr Hamad bin Said al Aufi, Head of the Private Office, Abdussalam al Murshidi, President of Oman Investment Authority, Eng Salim bin Nassir al Aufi, Minister of Energy and Minerals and Rua Issa al Zadjali, Ambassador of Oman to Belgium.