Madrid: King Felipe VI of Spain met Tuesday with Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman at the Royal Palace in Madrid, marking the Sultan's first official visit to Spain. The Spanish monarch and Queen Letizia hosted a formal reception for the Sultan and his high-level delegation, which was followed by a brief meeting between officials aimed at enhancing bilateral relations.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the visit was originally planned for May but was postponed. The primary goal of this visit is to bolster cooperation between Spain and Oman in several sectors, particularly trade and economy. During the visit, several memoranda of understanding and agreements are anticipated to be signed.
Continuing his visit on Wednesday, the Sultan is scheduled to meet with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez at the presidential palace, La Moncloa. Additionally, both King Felipe VI and Sultan Haitham will attend a Spanish-Omani economic forum organized by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Trade, further emphasizing the economic focus of the visit.
Accompanying the Sultan is a senior official delegation that includes Deputy Prime Minister for Defense Shihab bin Tariq Al-Said, Minister of the Royal Court Khalid bin Hilal Al-Busaidi, and Minister of the Office of the Sultan, General Sultan bin Mohammed Al-Nuaimi. The delegation also comprises Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, Chief of the Special Office Dr. Hamad bin Said Al-Aufi, Chairman of the Oman Investment Authority Abdulsalam bin Mohammed Al-Murshidi, and Ministers of Energy and Minerals Salem bin Nasser Al-Aufi and Commerce and Industry Qais bin Mohammed Al-Yousuf.
Spain and Oman have enjoyed diplomatic relations since 1972, with the Spanish embassy in Muscat opening only in 2004, and Oman appointing its first ambassador to Madrid in 2007.