The Hague, Netherlands – In honour of the Royal visit of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik and to promote cooperation and partnership between the Sultanate of Oman and the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Dick Schoof, Dutch Prime Minister, hosted a working lunch on Wednesday.

Held at the Dutch government headquarters in The Hague, it was attended by King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and his spouse Queen Máxima.

Addressing the event, His Majesty the Sultan delivered a speech as follows:

“The Netherlands has a strong reputation in Oman for its commitment to open dialogue, its emphasis on peace and its pursuit of global understanding. These values resonate deeply with us, as our countries share an outward-looking and inquisitive seafaring past. So it is perhaps unsurprising that these Dutch qualities also lie at the heart of Oman’s cultural identity.

“I am delighted to be here with you today, not only to celebrate these shared values but also to explore new opportunities to deepen our relations even further.

“The close ties and partnership between Oman and the Netherlands are built on a shared history of seafaring and commerce. The result is a dynamic strategic partnership, where we align our ambitions and complement each other’s strengths. This collaboration has led to the development of innovative projects that advance our shared goals and interests in logistics, trade and green manufacturing, leveraging our countries’ respective expertise.

“Beyond trade and industry, the Netherlands is now well recognised as a valued partner in innovation and education. Currently, an increasing number of Omani students are enrolled in Dutch educational institutions, and we look forward to welcoming Dutch students to pursue their studies at educational institutions in Oman.

“As we navigate an evolving global landscape, Oman takes great pride in our close cooperation with the Netherlands in the energy transition. Our joint focus on green hydrogen and our broader ambition to establish energy exchange corridors reflects our mutual commitment to a cleaner, more sustainable future. Oman welcomes Dutch insight, investment and technology as we pursue this transformation together.

“The strongest and most enduring bond between our countries is the connection between our peoples. The mutual trust, respect and admiration between our communities ensure that our friendship will continue to thrive for generations to come. As we continue to champion our common values – justice, multilateralism and the rule of law – I am confident that we can work together to promote peace and stability on a global scale.

“I look forward to strengthening this partnership even further. This visit has provided a valuable opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to dialogue, sustainability and peace. These principles will empower us to take concrete steps towards achieving our shared objectives.

“Please accept my sincere appreciation for your warm welcome and for your unwavering dedication to expanding Oman-Dutch partnership. I look forward to the many opportunities that lie ahead. Thank You.”

Prime Minister Schoof in his speech expressed pleasure and appreciation for the visit of His Majesty the Sultan and his accompanying delegation. He said he looked forward to working together to explore new avenues of cooperation, and economic and investment partnerships that would achieve mutual benefits for the two friendly countries.