A non-aggression pact and a regional dialogue that includes Iran.. What does the Sultanate of Oman propose for Gulf security?

Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi called for concluding a non-aggression pact between the eight countries overlooking the Gulf, and launching a new regional dialogue to build a comprehensive security system based on cooperation and mutual trust, while giving priority to the responsibility of the countries of the region for their security instead of excessive reliance on external forces. Al Busaidi said, during a lecture entitled “Comprehensive Security in the Gulf” that he delivered at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom, on Monday, that “The Sultanate of Oman continues its diplomatic efforts to enhance security and stability in the Gulf region by facilitating dialogue between parties, working to resolve disputes, building confidence, and calling for the establishment of a comprehensive regional security framework in which the eight countries overlooking the Gulf participate,” according to the Omani News Agency.

The minister explained that his country's policy stems from its awareness that its security depends on the security of its regional surroundings, noting that the Sultanate, which has peaceful relations with all its neighbours, continues efforts to communicate with the countries of the region to settle disputes and maintain peace and expand its scope. Al Busaidi reviewed Oman's role in facilitating negotiations between the United States and Iran during the past two years, with the aim of reaching a settlement regarding the Iranian nuclear program and ending decades of hostility between the two countries.

He said that the Sultanate believed that the negotiations had made important progress, and that reaching an agreement was within the reach of both parties. He also referred to Omani efforts in high-level talks and technical consultations with Iran regarding establishing temporary arrangements to help ensure freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, stressing that implementing these arrangements requires a practical understanding between Iran and the United States and the willingness of both parties to make concessions.

The Omani Foreign Minister stressed that “the recent negotiating experiences highlight the importance of countries in the region assuming responsibility for their security, instead of excessive reliance on external powers,” calling for the launch of a new regional dialogue that includes the six Arab Gulf Cooperation Council countries, along with Iraq and Iran, to build a security system based on cooperation and mutual trust. Al Busaidi pointed to an initiative that took place in the Omani capital, Muscat, in 1976, when the foreign ministers of the eight countries overlooking the Gulf met to discuss arrangements for collective security, considering that restoring the ambition of that initiative represents an opportunity to launch a more comprehensive regional path to confront current challenges.

The minister stressed that his country "calls for reaching a non-aggression pact between the eight countries, as an essential step to establishing sustainable regional security." He added, "External partnerships should turn into major economic investments with the eight countries and play a supportive role, while giving priority to the collective responsibility of the countries of the region in designing, developing and implementing their security arrangements."