Oman grants visa-free entry to Armenian citizens

On August 11, regular political consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Armenia and Oman took place in Yerevan, the Armenian Foreign Ministry has said.

The delegations were headed by Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia Vahan Kostanyan and Oman's Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Sheikh Khalifa bin Ali bin Issa Al-Harthy. The parties praised the high level of political dialogue and cooperation between Armenia and Oman in various areas, highlighting the opening of the Resident Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in Oman in this context.

Discussions focused on increasing bilateral trade turnover, promoting investments and deepening cooperation in the fields of infrastructure, transport, and energy. The sides also emphasized the importance of taking joint steps to expand cooperation in tourism, high technologies, healthcare, education, and culture.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Ali bin Issa Al-Harthy announced that, in response to the Armenian government’s decision to unilaterally exempt Omani citizens from the requirement to obtain a visa for entry into Armenia, the Omani government has decided to include Armenian citizens on its list of countries exempted from entry visas to the Sultanate of Oman. Starting August 11, 2019, Armenian citizens will be exempt from visa requirement for short-term visits, a move expected to boost tourism ties and people-to-people contacts between the two countries.

The meeting also addressed the finalization and signing of intergovernmental documents currently under negotiation. Oman's Deputy Foreign Minister reaffirmed the Sultanate’s support for peace and stability in the South Caucasus and congratulated his Armenian counterpart on the signing of the U.S.-brokered agreement on the establishment of peace and interstate relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Deputy Foreign Minister Kostanyan presented Armenia’s vision for achieving regional peace and briefed his counterpart on the "Crossroads of Peace" project. The sides also exchanged views on regional and international issues.