Saturday 27 / September / 2025
Muscat: His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik and Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani, Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq, expressed their satisfaction with the steps taken to advance bilateral relations toward broader and more comprehensive horizons. They directed all relevant entities to move forward in implementing joint initiatives and programmes that will benefit both countries and their peoples.
This was stated in the joint communiqué issued on the occasion of the official visit of Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani, Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq, to the Sultanate of Oman on Wednesday and Thursday. The following is the full text of the communiqué:
"Stemming from the historical, fraternal, and civilizational ties between the Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of Iraq, as well as in response to an invitation from His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, Sultan of Oman, Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani, Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq, paid an official visit to the Sultanate of Oman on Wednesday and Thursday, 10–11 Rabiʻ al-Awwal 1447 AH, corresponding to 3–4 September 2025.
The visit reflects the distinguished relations between their wise leaderships and brotherly peoples. It also underscores their mutual appreciation and respect, grounded in the principles of brotherhood, cooperation, mutual understanding, and a shared commitment to enhancing Arab solidarity.
An official session of talks was held between His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik and Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani, Prime Minister of Iraq, at Al Hosn Palace in Salalah. The discussions addressed the historical and deeply rooted fraternal relations between the two countries.
The two sides reviewed efforts to develop bilateral cooperation to serve the common interests of both countries and peoples, expressing satisfaction with the steps taken to elevate relations to broader and more comprehensive horizons. These include convening the ninth session of the Omani-Iraqi Joint Committee in Baghdad in December 2024 for the first time at the level of the two countries’ foreign ministers, followed by practical steps to advance bilateral relations across all fields and sectors—political, economic, commercial, investment, cultural, tourism, and sports—and to leverage the vast and promising opportunities in both countries in areas such as energy, industry, transport, food security, banking, tourism, port and airport management, urban planning, infrastructure, industrial localisation, training, and capacity-building across various sectors. These efforts aim to achieve economic partnership between the two countries, including the establishment of the Omani-Iraqi Business Council and the call to hold its first session concurrently with the Joint Committee meetings. In this context, both sides welcomed the inauguration of the (Muscat–Baghdad) air route to enhance cultural and tourism exchange between the two countries.
The two sides welcomed joint efforts to enhance bilateral cooperation in the field of energy, particularly oil storage and marketing, as evidenced by the signing of two memoranda of understanding in these areas. They called on the relevant authorities to form a joint technical team in the oil sector to enhance consultation on strategic projects and capacity-building.
His Majesty the Sultan and the Iraqi Prime Minister affirmed the positive and productive role played by the public and private sectors in both countries in advancing trade exchange rates between them. They expressed hope that existing and targeted activities would lead to a qualitative increase in mutual investments and directed all relevant entities to move forward in implementing joint initiatives and programs that would benefit both countries and their peoples. They welcomed the preparatory efforts for the tenth session of the Joint Committee.
In this regard, they welcomed the signing of a package of agreements, memoranda of understanding, and cooperation programmes across various fields, including an agreement on mutual visa waiver for holders of diplomatic, special, and service passports; an agreement on the avoidance of double taxation and prevention of tax evasion on income and capital; and memoranda of understanding in the fields of energy, oil storage and refining, central banking, securities, youth and sports, historical documentation and records management, tourism cooperation, and others.
Regarding consultations, exchange of views, and coordination on current regional and international developments and issues, the two sides emphasised the immediate and permanent cessation of the war waged by the Israeli occupation authorities against the Palestinian people in Gaza and called for the urgent delivery of relief aid to the population in the Strip. They expressed their categorical rejection of any schemes aimed at displacing the population, subjecting them to brutality, annexing new territories, or halting aggressive practices against countries in the region.
The two sides also emphasised the necessity of ending the illegal Israeli occupation and establishing an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital, along with its admission to membership in the United Nations.
Regarding the enhancement of Arab solidarity, the two sides stressed the importance of cooperation and coordination between their two countries in regional and international organisations and forums, in service of their interests and contributing to the promotion of joint Arab action. They affirmed their commitment to achieving the pillars of regional and international security and peace, supporting efforts to consolidate peaceful orientations, and promoting dialogue and diplomatic solutions in the region and the world by upholding the rules of international law, respecting international legitimacy, adhering to the principles of good neighborliness, respecting state sovereignty, and promoting the values of understanding and cooperation, all of which would bring further good, prosperity, and flourishing to the region.
The Iraqi Prime Minister expressed his gratitude and appreciation to His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, Sultan of Oman, the government of the Sultanate of Oman, and its dear people for the warm reception and generous hospitality, wishing Oman further progress and prosperity under its wise leadership."
