European Parliament 2014-2019 Delegation for relations with the Arab Peninsula 19.7.2016 MISSION REPORT following the visit by members of the Delegation for Relations with the Arab Peninsula as part of the eighth EP-Oman interparliamentary meeting Delegation for relations with the Arab Peninsula Members of the mission Michèle Alliot-Marie (PPE) (Leader of the mission) Gilles Pargneaux (S&D) CR\1101467EN.doc PE580.941v01-00 EN United in diversity EN 1. Overview The top-level meetings held in Oman were conducted in an atmosphere of friendship, openness and mutual respect. Our partners were clearly extremely keen to develop bilateral relations between Oman and the European Union. Oman plays a major role in diplomacy, and both sides agreed that the diplomatic efforts pursued by Oman and the EU are complementary in nature, and that it is important to find political solutions to the conflicts in the region, as well as to ease the tensions among the regional powers. We pointed out to our partners that the European Parliament was the first EU institution to back the EU-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) strategic partnership in March 2011. Our delegation emphasised the importance of developing and forging closer ties between the two regional integration organisations and their member states. Closer ties and the importance of parliamentary cooperation were mentioned at each meeting, given the crucial nature of the direct link between parliamentarians and the public not just in Europe, but also in our partner countries in the Gulf. The media in the region is also very interested in the EU and the European Parliament, and our visit received a great deal of coverage. It is important to bear in mind that the first regional interparliamentary EP-GCC meeting held in Brussels in April was a great success, the regional dimension being a completely new factor in relations between Europe and the Arab Gulf region. It is also important to note that reciprocal visits are essential in order to secure closer relations between these two Gulf countries and to enhance mutual understanding, with the previous interparliamentary meeting having taken place in Brussels in 2012. 2. The main topics discussed during the visit The main purpose of the visit was the eighth interparliamentary meeting with Oman’s Majlis al-Shura. We met its Chairman, H.E. Khalid bin Hilal al-Mawali, along with other elected members of the Majlis al-Shura. We also met H.E. Yahya bin Mahfoudh al-Mantheri, Chairman of the State Council, and the other members of the State Council. The delegation also met Deputy Prime Minister H.H. Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmood al-Said, Minister of Commerce and Industry H.E. Ali bin Masoud al-Sunaidy, and Sayyid Badr bin Hamad al- Busaidi, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We discussed Oman-EU relations (economics and politics, including the issue of Schengen visas) with Deputy Prime Minister H.H. Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmood al-Said and the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We explained the legislative procedure with regard to Schengen visas to our Omani partners, who emphasised Oman’s interest in a visa waiver. We thanked Oman for cooperating with the EU in its Atalanta naval operation in the Gulf of Aden via joint exercises and the supply of essential provisions at Oman’s ports of Salalah and Muscat. During these meetings, as well as in talks with our fellow Omani parliamentarians, it was clear that there was a broad consensus of opinion as regards the major issues of concern to both sides (especially security and international terrorism), and the need to coordinate the efforts of international stakeholders and take a closer look at how the diplomatic efforts pursued by Oman and the EU complement each other, in particular as regards conflict resolution in the Middle East and attempts to find political solutions to conflicts in the region. PE580.941v01-00 2/9 CR\1101467EN.doc EN We jointly noted with regret the suspension of the talks on Yemen that were being held under the auspices of the UN in Kuwait, and called for the parties to return to the table. Although Oman may have fewer resources, less geopolitical heft and less ambitious aspirations than other countries in the Gulf, its traditional neutrality has enabled it to shine as a mediator. This choice to remain neutral is a way of safeguarding political stability within the country. Sultan Qaboos bin Said, who has been in power since 1970, pursues a foreign policy that is personalised, pragmatic and largely based on bilateral relations. This approach is accepted by Oman’s neighbours. Unlike the other members of the GCC, Oman has maintained diplomatic relations with Damascus, has not taken part in air strikes against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, and was the only Gulf country not to participate in the military intervention in Yemen. Oman has long- standing, close security ties with the USA and cordial relations with Iran, meaning that it has been able to facilitate behind-the-scenes dialogue between Tehran and Washington. Starting in 2013, Oman discreetly organised bilateral meetings which paved the way for the negotiations that resulted in the June 2015 international agreement on Iran’s nuclear programme. Oman has also played a vital role as a mediator in Yemen and Libya, looking for common ground between those involved in the conflicts. With its reputation as an impartial mediator, Oman has the potential to help foster a rapprochement between Riyadh and Tehran. However, Oman’s firm opposition to Saudi Arabia’s efforts to secure more thoroughgoing political and military integration among the Arab states in the Gulf, on the one hand, and its wish to maintain cordial relations with Tehran on the other, have strained relations with Riyadh. On economics, we discussed the impact of falling oil prices (oil production accounts for 50% of GNP and 75% of state income), the state’s financial situation, possible tax reforms, and the implementation of the economic diversification plan (Vision 2020). Oman’s economy is heavily dependent on the oil industry, but the authorities have taken steps to promote tourism, mining and port services. Our delegation expressed the European Parliament’s interest in promoting the involvement of European businesses, with their know-how, in projects designed to diversify Oman’s economy. We emphasised the direct link between increased investment and the process of diversifying the economy, and pointed out that SMEs are very important in the development of a diversified knowledge economy. In that connection, and given the lack of progress in the talks on an EU-GCC free trade agreement, our delegation expressed its wish for the continued, more structured development of trade relations on a technical level, and its keenness for investments to be stepped up between the EU and Oman (investment agreements have been an exclusive competence of the EU since the Lisbon Treaty, but in the context of the GCC they remain a matter for the individual member states). 3. Suggested follow-up o The next interparliamentary meeting with Oman will be held at one of Parliament’s places of work in 2017. It is suggested that preparations for the meeting should be made beforehand in pairs, with one parliamentarian from each side (supported by the secretariat and experts). CR\1101467EN.doc 3/9 PE580.941v01-00 EN o Continued multilateral interparliamentary dialogue (EP-GCC) will be an additional, complementary dimension of our dialogue with Oman. o The AFET Committee has already agreed to our proposal to invite Oman’s Deputy Prime Minister H.H. Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmood al-Said to the committee. o A proposal will be submitted to the INTA Committee with a view to forging closer economic ties with Oman and the member states of the GCC, in particular as regards investments. o A request will be sent to the relevant departments within Parliament to work with the EEAS in organising a seminar aimed at members of the press from the Gulf countries on EU policies and institutions, including the European Parliament. PE580.941v01-00 4/9 CR\1101467EN.doc EN Annex 1 DELEGATION FOR RELATIONS WITH THE ARAB PENINSULA 8th EP/Oman Interparliamentary Meetings 17-19 May 2016 FINAL PROGRAMME Tuesday 17 May 2016 Kuwait-City/Muscat 19.25 Arrival in Muscat 20.30 Briefing with Mr Kulach, Head of the EU Delegation accredited to Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia Wednesday 18 May 2016 Muscat 09:00 Meeting with H.E. Khalid bin Hilal Al Mawaali, Chairman of the Shura Council 09:15 Official talks session with Shura Council 10:00 Meeting with H.E. Dr Yahya bin Mahfoodh Al Mantheri, Chairman of the State Council 11:00 Meeting with HH Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers (No. 2 representing Sultan) 13.30 Visit at Souq Mutrah 16:00 Visit at the Royal Opera House 17:00 Meeting with EU Ambassadors HoMs followed by cocktail at French Embassy/Residence 20:00 Official Dinner hosted by H.E. Khalid Al Mawaali, Chairman of the Shura CR\1101467EN.doc 5/9 PE580.941v01-00 EN Thursday 19 May 2016 Muscat 08:30 Meeting with H.E. Ali bin Masoud Al Senaidy, Minister of Commerce and Industry 10:00 Meeting with H.E. Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al-Busaidi, Secretary General at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 11:00 Press point PE580.941v01-00 6/9 CR\1101467EN.doc EN Annexe 2 EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT DELEGATION FOR RELATIONS WITH THE ARAB PENINSULA 8TH EP/OMAN INTERPARLIAMENTARY MEETING 17-19 MAY 2016 LIST OF PARTICIPANTS Members (2) Group Country Mrs Michèle ALLIOT-MARIE, Chair EPP