President al-Assad: What we need, as Arabs, is to lay foundations for political relations in the interest of peoples

Damascus, SANA-President Bashar al-Assad received on Monday Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, Foreign Minister of the Sultanate of Oman, and an accompanying delegation. Talks during the meeting dealt with the distinguished relations that bind Syria and Oman and aspects of cooperation between the two brotherly countries. The two sides stressed the importance of continuing work on all levels in order to enhance these relations through building on the principles and common interests that gather the two countries and peoples and fulfilling partnerships in various sectors that benefit the Syrian and Omani peoples and the peoples of the Arab region. The talks also tackled the latest Arab and regional developments, and issues of mutual concern. President al-Assad referred to the mutual understanding and the close visions the two countries possess towards those issues, hailing the balanced role and method of Sultanate of Oman, its principled policies and stances towards Syria, and its support for the Syrian people in the war on terrorism. President al-Assad considered that what we need, as Arabs, is to lay the foundations for the methodology of political relations and to hold objective dialogues based on the interests of the people, adding that dealing with changes in reality and Arab society requires changing the political approach and thinking, based on “our interests and our position on the international arena.” In turn, the Omani minister conveyed greetings of Sultan Haitham bin Tariq to President al-Assad, and his keenness on Oman’s firm stances towards Syria, considering that Syria is a basic player in the Arab world, and its strong and courageous policies and positions “make reliance on it great in facing the challenges that surround us.” In the same context, Foreign and Expatriates Minister, Fayssal Mikdad, met Minister al-Busaidi, with the two sides completing discussions on issues of common interests.