Madrid, Spain – In a tribute to His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, King Felipe VI of the Kingdom of Spain and Queen Letizia hosted an official dinner at the Royal Palace in Madrid on November 4.

Prior to the dinner, His Majesty the Sultan shook hands with Pedro Sánchez, Prime Minister of Spain, along with several senior dignitaries. The Royal couple; the King and the Queen, then shook hands with the members of the official delegation accompanying His Majesty the Sultan.

Subsequently, the King of Spain delivered an address renewing his welcome to His Majesty the Sultan and the accompanying official delegation on this historic visit, expressing his hopes that the visit would fulfill the shared aspirations of both nations in service of their peoples’ interests.

His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik likewise delivered an address on this occasion, stating:

“It is with profound pleasure that we gather in your historic realm, the Kingdom of Spain, which has eternally stood as a bridge of civilization and humanity connecting East and West, and as a beacon of cultural richness and intellectual diversity. As we are graciously hosted as your guests, we feel the genuine warmth of friendship between our nations and hold in the highest esteem the generous hospitality and splendid reception that reflect the noble character of the Spanish people and the profound historical bonds between our two countries.

“Omani-Spanish relations are no fleeting occurrence but are built upon a venerable heritage of cultural exchange and mutual respect. These ties have been consistently strengthened through decades of bilateral engagements and constructive collaboration across numerous fields.

“This visit represents a historic moment to commemorate the distinguished journey of our nations’ cherished relations and reaffirms our personal commitment and steadfast support for advancing these bonds, which have demonstrated remarkable growth across economic, commercial, and investment spheres in recent years. We have been accompanied on this visit by several relevant ministers to further explore cooperative opportunities between our nations.

“In the Sultanate of Oman, we firmly believe that dialogue and openness to cultures and civilizations represent the essential pathway toward building a world of greater understanding, stability, and cooperation. Throughout its distinguished history, the Kingdom of Spain has exemplified this spirit of openness, serving as a destination for scholars, artists, literati and thinkers from across the world. Your nation has stood as a lighthouse of knowledge and learning that has significantly contributed to shaping human civilization.

“Our partnership manifests clearly through shared values, mutual understanding, and deep respect. We take great pleasure in expressing our appreciation for Spain’s role as a leading political force in Europe and the global economy, alongside its significant contributions to promoting peace and justice worldwide.

“Looking toward the future, we aspire that through our shared commitment to international principles, we may collaborate in addressing global challenges. We further affirm our dedication to expanding horizons for commercial and investment cooperation, cultural and intellectual exchange, and fostering dialogue among our peoples, thereby contributing to a more prosperous and tolerant future for generations to come.

“We express our deepest gratitude for the exceptionally warm welcome extended to us and look forward with great anticipation to receiving you in the Sultanate of Oman, where we may continue our constructive dialogue and further strengthen the bonds of cooperation between our two nations.

With heartfelt wishes for the continued progress and prosperity of the friendly Spanish people, and for the ever-growing strength and flourishing of our bilateral relations.”

The dinner was attended by the official delegation accompanying His Majesty the Sultan and senior civil and military officials in the Kingdom of Spain.