Oman's speech at the GCC–US Summit in Riyadh

The following is the full text of the speech delivered  by His Highness Sayyid Asaad bin Tarik Al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for International Relations and Cooperation Affairs and Personal Representative of His Majesty the Sultan, at the Summit between the Gulf Cooperation Council member states and the United States of America, held in the Saudi capital, Riyadh:

“I am honoured to represent His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, Sultan of Oman, at this important Gulf-US summit. I am pleased to convey to you all His Majesty's greetings and his best wishes for the success of this meeting.

“We hereby express our deep thanks and gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for their kind invitation to this summit.

“We would also like to express our thanks and appreciation to the United States of America for its ardent and constructive partnership. We would like to extend our gratitude to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its hospitality and warm welcome.

“We meet here today at an historical moment, one that we hope will help shape a better future for the Middle East and chart out a path of stability, prosperity and goodness for all. The Gulf-US relations are long-term and strategic, aimed at establishing the foundations of security, stability and prosperity.

“This partnership that binds us takes shape in our shared commitment to achieve integration and reciprocity in political, economic, technological and defence interests, besides cooperating to resolve regional and international crises and addressing challenges. In this context, we would like to express our profound concern about the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, the outcome of decades of illegal Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories. This ongoing injustice, coupled with the international community's inability to achieve a just peace, is at the heart of many regional challenges. Yet, a glimmer of hope still exists.

“We have witnessed historic steps being made toward peace and stability. We would like to express our appreciation for President Donald Trump's constructive role in ending the conflict with Yemen and restoring safe navigation in the Red Sea. We hope that this achievement will pave the way for further success on the Yemeni issue, leading to a lasting peace and prosperity for this age-old Arab country.

“It is encouraging to observe the realism and mutual respect that mark the ongoing dialogue between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran about the non-proliferation of nuclear arms. These efforts inspire confidence in the possibility of reaching a practical and sustainable agreement between the two sides, motivating us all to cooperate collectively to address other issues in the region.

“The Trump administration's pursuit of a policy of strategic diplomacy – which favours dialogue and deal-making over escalation and confrontation – represents an exemplary approach that is highly welcomed by us. By engaging all parties and, by challenging outdated theories, the United States has opened a practical path for real positive change.

“We hereby reaffirm that it is impossible to achieve comprehensive peace, lasting security and the prosperity sought by all except through the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, enabling both Palestinians and Israelis to live in dignity, exercise sovereignty over their respective lands and build prosperous and dignified nations. Therefore, we look forward to the Trump administration’s drive to resolve this long-standing conflict that weighed heavily on our region for a long time.”

“Thank you. Peace and blessings be upon you.

This is an unofficial English version of an Arabic report. To view the official Arabic text, click here.