His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik of Oman and Andy Burnham, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, met at 10 Downing Street in London on Wednesday to discuss the bilateral relations between their countries and explore opportunities for further cooperation. The meeting coincided with Sultan Haitham’s state visit to the UK.
During the talks, both leaders reviewed the longstanding ties between Oman and the UK, emphasizing their shared history and ongoing collaboration across multiple sectors. Prime Minister Burnham highlighted the current £1.7 billion trade relationship and expressed optimism about expanding economic ties. He also acknowledged Oman’s efforts in addressing tensions affecting the Middle East, particularly relating to the Strait of Hormuz, and reaffirmed the UK’s support for Oman's initiatives aimed at promoting regional stability and reopening key trade routes.
Sultan Haitham expressed appreciation for the warm reception in the UK and reaffirmed the depth of the bilateral relationship, underscoring the countries’ continuous coordination and cooperation on security and economic matters. He noted the challenging regional context over the past two years but expressed hope that conditions will normalize, allowing for further progress in joint ventures.
In addition to bilateral issues, the discussions addressed broader regional and international developments. Both sides recognized the importance of enhanced coordination and international cooperation to manage crises and support peace efforts in the Middle East and beyond. The session was attended by Omani officials accompanying the Sultan and senior British officials.
Following the meeting, Sultan Haitham recorded a message in the UK’s visitors’ book, expressing his satisfaction with the visit and his wishes for ongoing growth and achievement in the partnership between the two countries.
Separately, at Windsor Castle, His Majesty King Charles III hosted a royal reception during the state visit, where he bid farewell to Sultan Haitham. Both leaders exchanged expressions of gratitude for the hospitality extended and mutual hopes for the continued advancement of friendly relations across diverse areas.