The Federation Council Speaker discussed ways to expand bilateral cooperation with Chairman of the State Council of Oman Sheikh Abdul Malik bin Abdullah Al Khalili.
Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matvienko had a meeting with Chairman of the State Council of the Sultanate of Oman Sheikh Abdul Malik bin Abdullah Al Khalili.
The Federation Council Speaker noted the extensive programme of the official visit by the delegation of the Sultanate of Oman to Russia, expressing confidence that it would contribute to the expansion of cooperation between the two countries, including inter-parliamentary ties. “We are linked by a strong bond of friendly relations, which has clearly stood the test of time. We are strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation across the board, with the ongoing political dialogue, constructive and trust-based, being an integral part of bilateral relations,” Valentina Matvienko said.
The Federation Council Speaker added that 2025 marks the 40th anniversary of Russian-Omani diplomatic relations and proposed developing a programme of events to mark the landmark anniversary, primarily through inter-parliamentary contacts.
Abdul Malik bin Abdullah Al Khalili stressed that the leaders of the Sultanate of Oman have been focusing on strengthening relations with the Russian Federation, including at the parliamentary level. “I am sure that the visit of the Omani officials to Russia will improve the prospects for further cooperation.”
The parties touched upon trade and economic cooperation. According to Valentina Matvienko, last year, bilateral trade with Oman reached its highest level in the past 10 years. The Federation Council Speaker expressed confidence that the countries would maintain the trend in 2024, stressing the importance of Oman’s participation in the 15th International Economic Forum Russia-Islamic World: KazanForum held in Tatarstan. “Oman’s participation in the upcoming St Petersburg International Economic Forum, as a guest of honour, will certainly spur on business cooperation. Russian companies are ready to cooperate with Omani partners in the fuel and energy sector, tourism, transport, infrastructure and telecommunications.”
According to the Federation Council Speaker, Russia and Oman have not yet reached full potential of region-to-region cooperation. “The constituent entities of the Russian Federation seek to establish ties with Omani regions in trade and the economy and strengthen mutually beneficial contacts between their respective business communities.”
The Federation Council Speaker reminded her audience that the Federation Council and the Commonwealth of Independent States Interparliamentary Assembly were organising the Eurasian Women’s Forum, and invited representatives of Oman to participate in the fourth edition, which will be held on 18–20 September in St Petersburg.
The meeting participants also considered cooperation in education, culture and tourism.
Also attending the meeting were First Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council Andrey Yatskin, Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council Konstantin Kosachev, Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs Grigory Karasin, Deputy Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Social Policy Mohmad Akhmadov, Deputy Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Agriculture and Food Policy and Environmental Management Belan Khamchiev, member of the Federation Council Committee on Science, Education and Culture Elena Pisareva, member of the Federation Council Committee on the Budget and Financial Markets Vadim Dengin, and member of the Federation Council Committee on Social Policy Andrey Chernyshev.
Following the talks, Valentina Matvienko and Abdul Malik bin Abdullah Al Khalili signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the Federation Council and the State Council of the Sultanate of Oman. According to the Federation Council Speaker, this important document will make bilateral cooperation systematic and strengthen the regulatory framework for cooperation.