Muscat – Lt Gen Abdullah bin Khamis al Raisi, Chief of Staff of SAF (Sultan’s Armed Forces), welcomed Admiral Enrico Cardandino, Chief of Staff of the Italian Navy, and his accompanying delegation to Al Murtafa’a Camp on Wednesday. The two leaders discussed military cooperation and issues of mutual interest, highlighting the strong bilateral ties between Oman and Italy.

The meeting was attended by Rear Admiral Saif Nasser al Rahbi, Commander of Royal Navy of Oman (RNO), and the Military Attaché at the Embassy of the Italian Republic in Muscat.

During his visit, Admiral Cardandino toured the Maritime Security Centre, accompanied by Rear Admiral Al Rahbi. The delegation was received by the Acting Head of the Centre and briefed on the facility’s key role in safeguarding maritime security in Omani waters. The briefing covered the centre’s advanced systems and technologies, as well as its efforts to ensure the safety of navigation and environmental protection.

Later, Admiral Cardandino visited the headquarters of the Royal Navy of Oman, where he was greeted with a ceremonial Guard of Honour and a salute by the RNO band. Rear Admiral Al Rahbi welcomed the Italian naval chief and his delegation, with discussions focusing on maritime cooperation and areas of mutual interest.

Admiral Cardandino is on a visit to Oman as he is accompanying the ‘Amerigo Vespucci’ ship that has docked today at Sultan Qaboos Port in Muscat. It was welcomed with a reception ceremony which was attended by His Excellency the Ambassador of the Italian Republic to the Sultanate of Oman, and a number of senior officers and officers of the Royal Navy of Oman.