Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to increase domestic and foreign policy cooperation between the UK and the Sultanate of Oman.

The UK and Oman enjoy a broad and exceptionally close relationship. Oman is a longstanding friend and ally in the Gulf, with shared interests across diplomatic, economic , defence and security matters. We are working more closely than ever across a number of fields including on economic, defence and counter-terrorism matters. Later this year, Exercise Saif Sareea 3 will take place in Oman – the largest UK-Omani military exercise for 16 years. Oman is also an important partner in regional affairs. My Rt Hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary (the Member for Uxbridge and South Ruislip, Mr Johnson) has visited Oman twice in the last four months to underline our commitment to the bilateral relationship and to take forward our regional cooperation.