LUANDA : His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik and Angolan President João Lourenço called for immediate ceasefires in ongoing conflicts across the Middle East, Africa and Eastern Europe, while reaffirming their commitment to dialogue and peaceful solutions, according to a joint statement issued at the end of His Majesty’s State Visit to Angola.

The statement, issued on Friday, said the two leaders expressed “deep concern” over continuing conflicts in the three regions and urged parties involved to engage in peaceful dialogue aimed at reaching lasting solutions.

On the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, Lourenço expressed solidarity with countries affected by the situation and called for a return to normal conditions.

The Angolan president also praised Oman’s efforts to de-escalate regional tensions and maintain dialogue aimed at reaching a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

On Palestine, His Majesty Sultan Haitham and Lourenço reaffirmed their support for peaceful coexistence, the right of peoples to self-determination and United Nations resolutions. They condemned human rights violations and indiscriminate attacks against civilian populations.

The leaders also stressed the importance of international law, respect for the sovereignty of states and non-interference in their internal affairs.

Economic cooperation

The joint statement followed His Majesty Sultan Haitham’s two-day State Visit to Angola on September 17 and 18, during which the two leaders held private talks followed by discussions between their delegations at the Presidential Palace in Luanda.

His Majesty and Lourenço agreed on the need to deepen bilateral cooperation and explore new areas of partnership, particularly in diplomacy, oil, energy, mineral resources, finance, tourism, agriculture, fisheries, transport, logistics and housing.

The leaders witnessed the exchange of 10 legal cooperation documents and three memoranda of understanding between government-owned companies, according to the statement.

The two sides agreed to work towards implementing initiatives and projects being developed in strategic sectors of mutual interest, with the aim of strengthening economic integration and delivering benefits for both countries.

The statement follows the announcement during the visit that agreements and memoranda of understanding associated with the growing partnership were valued at more than $1.5 billion.

Next talks to be held in Muscat

Oman and Angola also agreed to establish regular bilateral political consultations to assess progress in implementing commitments reached between the two countries.

The next round of political consultations and the first session of a bilateral committee will be held in Muscat on a date to be agreed through diplomatic channels.

The two leaders said their discussions reflected a convergence of views on a range of bilateral, regional and international issues.

They described the visit as a historic milestone in strengthening the partnership between Oman and Angola.

His Majesty Sultan Haitham concluded the State Visit on Friday, thanking Lourenço and the Angolan people for the warm reception and hospitality extended to him and his accompanying delegation.

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