Joint statement on the occasion of the Iraqi Prime Minister's visit to Oman

Joint Statement issued in Salalah on September 4, 2025 on the visit of Mohammed Shiaa Al Sudani, Prime Minister of Iraq, to the Sultanate of Oman.

Building on the historic, fraternal and civilisational ties between the Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of Iraq, and the wise leadership and shared aspirations of their two peoples, and in affirmation of the strong bilateral relations founded on mutual respect, cooperation and Arab solidarity, at the gracious invitation of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, Mohammed Shiaa Al Sudani, Prime Minister of Iraq, paid an official visit to the Sultanate of Oman on September 3–4, 2025.

A formal session of talks was held between His Majesty and the Iraqi Prime Minister at Al Hosn Palace in Salalah. The discussions reviewed the firm and historic ties between the two countries and explored means of enhancing cooperation to serve their mutual interests.

Both leaders expressed satisfaction with the progress made in advancing relations, including the ninth session of the Omani-Iraqi Joint Committee, convened in Baghdad in December 2024 for the first time at the level of Foreign Ministers. They noted subsequent steps taken to expand cooperation across political, economic, trade, investment, cultural, tourism and sports fields, as well as in energy, industry, transport, food security, banking, port and airport management, urban planning, infrastructure, localisation of industries, training and capacity building.

Oman and Iraq  emphasised their commitment to economic partnership, notably through the establishment of the Omani-Iraqi Business Council, and called for its first session to coincide with the next Joint Committee meeting. In this context, they welcomed the opening of the Muscat–Baghdad flight route to strengthen cultural and tourism exchange.

They also welcomed joint efforts in the energy sector, particularly oil storage and marketing, and witnessed the signing of two Memoranda of Understanding in these areas. Both countries instructed the formation of a joint technical team in the oil sector to consult on strategic projects and capacity building.

His Majesty and the Prime Minister underlined the vital role of the public and private sectors in raising trade levels and attracting new investments. They directed all concerned bodies to move forward in implementing joint initiatives and programmes. Preparations were also welcomed for the tenth session of the Joint Committee.

In this regard, the two countries signed a package of agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), including:

• An agreement on mutual visa exemption for holders of diplomatic, special and service passports.
• An agreement on avoidance of double taxation and prevention of tax evasion on income and capital.
• MoUs in the fields of energy, oil storage and refining, central banking, securities, youth and sports, historical documentation and archives, and tourism, in addition to other areas of cooperation.

On regional and international developments, the two countries called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire to the war waged by the Israeli occupation authorities against the Palestinian people in Gaza. They urged urgent humanitarian aid to reach the population, and rejected any plans for forced displacement, annexation of land or continued aggression against states of the region.

They affirmed the necessity of ending the unlawful Israeli occupation and establishing an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, and its admission as a full member of the United Nations.

On Arab solidarity, both countries underscored the importance of coordination in regional and international organisations, in support of their mutual interests and to strengthen joint Arab action, regional and international peace and security, and dialogue-based and diplomatic solutions grounded in international law, good neighbourliness and respect for state sovereignty.

The Prime Minister of Iraq expressed his gratitude to His Majesty, the Government and the people of Oman for the warm welcome and generous hospitality, and wished Oman further progress and prosperity under its wise leadership.

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