The Middle East trip of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov ended his working visit to Oman – one of the most popular Arab monarchies. On the morning of Moscow visitor he took a member of the ruling family, Deputy Prime Minister of the Council of Ministers Sayyid Fahad bin Mahmoud Al Said, and then Lavrov held talks with Omani Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs Yousuf bin Alawi (officially the key ministerial posts in the country belong to the Sultan Qaboos Al -Saidu). Finally, the two sides signed an intergovernmental agreement on the abolition of visas for holders of diplomatic, service and special passports.
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The meetings were held with all the ceremonial solemnity: Omani counterpart and his entourage met Lavrov in full dress – with a dagger in his belt. Oman is known for the cult of knives, and the highest state officials and civil servants of the Sultanate are hazhery (called their steel blades) instead of a tie. At the same time to get them out of his belt, you should not – it will be considered as a loss of face. Diplomacy is “shrouded blades” – traditional-style foreign policy of Oman, which is known for an independent and neutral position on many issues. The Sultanate is even called the “Switzerland of the Middle East”: Muscat regularly provides a platform for negotiating parties to the conflict in Yemen, the Libyans. Against the backdrop of rupture of diplomatic relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia Omanis also offered to mediate.
And it is no coincidence: Oman is not a Sunni bloc Gulf monarchies, speaking from a position independent of Riyadh – a key player in the region, It supports historical friendly ties with Tehran. In many respects this position Omanis explained by the fact that the political elite of the country, as well as most of the population is Ibadi – a special branch of Islam, which is characterized by tolerance. Oman does not even have separate mosques for Sunni and Shia – all pray together. Muscat can afford to have their own voice – by virtue of a strategically advantageous position. Coast State goes to the Strait of Hormuz, through which passes the traffic of oil from the Persian Gulf. By the way, among the Arab monarchies of Oman is the second largest exporter of “black gold” in China. Of course, Lavrov discussed with Arab counterparts the situation on the hydrocarbon market.
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The trip of Russian Foreign Minister to Oman experts call sign. Muscat and Moscow have friendly ties, though, as acknowledged Sergei Lavrov, the trade turnover between the two countries can not be called a breakthrough, but Russian tourists rarely get to the local resorts that even by local standards are considered to be quite expensive. At the same time Russia and Oman are quite common language on many political issues. In particular, the Syrian. The Sultanate is not severed diplomatic relations with Damascus, chief Omani diplomacy participates in regular meetings of the international support group in Syria. And Muscat takes a balanced position in relation to the ruling Syrian regime to immediately change which insist Riyadh and its allies.
On the eve of the next meeting of international mediators who are expected to gather on February 11 in Munich, Lavrov, of course, discussed the prospects of a political settlement in the SAR with Omani counterpart. “We agreed that the members of the delegation of both government and the opposition to Syria will be guided solely by the interests of the Syrian people and to act according to the same rules, sat down at the negotiating table without preconditions,” – he reminded the Russian minister.
According to him, , a cease-fire in the conflict zone can be implemented in practice “if it is to stem the flow of contraband oil through the Syrian-Turkish border, which is fueling the militants.” “I think (in mezhsiriyskih negotiations) on foreign sponsors to help solve the problem by means of ultimatums, absolutely futile” – summed up Sergei Lavrov. And the Omani minister responsible for foreign affairs, had a hand in farewell to the heart of what could well be interpreted as a sign of agreement.
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