By Abdel Razzak Al-Hezami
RIYADH, Aug 6 (KUNA) -- Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Abdul-Rahman Al-Attiah praised on Thursday the "historic" recent visit paid by Sultan Qaboos Bin Said of Oman to Iran noting the great significance of the diplomatic mission by the top leader of a member state of the GCC.
Al-Attiah, in an exclusive statement to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), said Sultan Said's visit to Iran and his signing of a number of accords and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) affirmed the sultan's future deep vision and would "open a new chapter in the distinctive ties in various domains." This historic visit by Sultan Qaboos to Iran will bolster the solid ties between the two neighboring countries and will serve the regional security, stability and prosperity, Al-Attiah said.
He praised the wise policy, adopted by Sultan Qaboos, also the current chairman of the Higher Council of the GCC, with the aim of opening new horizons for cooperation and dialogue with various regional and international powers for service of the higher interests of the peoples of the Gulf.
The visit also reflects keenness of the GCC states on holding construcitve dialogue with Tehran for sake of boosting the bilateral ties.
Sultan Qaboos has recently paid a three-day visit to Iran, on a mission that coincided with the ceremonies marking the inauguration of the new mandate of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Both Iran and Oman are strategically located in the southern tip of the Gulf, with part of their coasts located on the sensitive Hormuz Strait, through which the bulk of the oil production in the region passes to the world markets. Tehran and Muscat have long maintained calm and diplomatic ties.
Oman is a member of the GCC that also includes Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain.
The GCC was founded in the shadow of a regional war between Iran and Iraq in the early 80s -- that were widely dubbed at these past times as "the giants of the Gulf." The bloc was set up to enhance cooperation among the Arab regional states in various domains, including security and defense. (end) ay.rk KUNA 062114 Aug 09NNNN