MUSCAT: Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken hosted Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi in Washington, to celebrate the Treaty of Amity, Economic Relations, and Consular Rights, signed on December 20, 1958, as well as the long history of cooperation that began with its predecessor, the Treaty of Amity and Commerce, signed 189 years ago on September 21, 1833.

Recognizing the strength of the bilateral relationship, Secretary Blinken and Foreign Minister Albusaidi announced the commencement of the first US-Oman Strategic Dialogue, which will include three working groups focused on education and cultural exchange, trade and investment, and renewable energy. The working groups intend to meet regularly and tangibly advance shared goals.

The two sides underscored the historic, strategic, and growing partnership between the United States and the Sultanate of Oman on regional security. The Secretary thanked Foreign Minister Albusaidi for Oman’s steadfast support in humanitarian issues, including its role in securing the freedom of American citizen Baquer Namazi from Iran.