Oman praises Turkey’s stance on regional issues

ANKARA

Omani Advisory (Shura) Council, Sheikh Khalid Bin Hilal al-Ma’awali (L) Parliamentary Speaker Cemil Çiçek. AA photo

The Islamic world needs strong consensus on vision and opinion at the moment, the chairman of the Omani Advisory (Shura) Council, Sheikh Khalid Bin Hilal al-Ma’awali told Turkish leaders today.

Al-Ma’awali said in a meeting with President Abdullah Gül, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Parliamentary Speaker Cemil Çiçek that he appreciated Turkey’s attitude on political issues facing the region and that they were closely following the country.

“We appreciate Turkey’s attitude on issues such as Palestine… Your manner and honorable attitude regarding the attack on Gaza have won the appreciation of the entire Islamic world, moreover the free world,” Ma’awali told reporters during his meeting with Çiçek.

Çiçek said Oman and Turkey should further boost bilateral relations, which would also benefit other regional countries. Adoption of a bilateral free trade agreement would accelerate relations, he said.

The defense industry could be another area for cooperation between the two countries, since Turkey had achieved great experience in this area, Çiçek added.

“Unfortunately the region we are living in is not peaceful… a region of some sorrows and problems. That requires countries to have more powerful defenses.”