Manama, June 25 (QNA) - The Sultanate of Oman affirmed that future arrangements related to the Strait of Hormuz do not entail the imposition of any transit fees, emphasizing the importance of restoring freedom of navigation through the strait and ensuring its safe passage.

In his remarks during the joint ministerial meeting between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and the United States of America in Manama, Bahrain, Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi stated that the Sultanate of Oman, as a littoral state of the Strait, assumes a special responsibility in supporting international efforts aimed at securing maritime navigation, in accordance with its responsibilities and obligations under international law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

He also stressed the Sultanate of Oman's commitment to full and constructive engagement with various parties to drive this process forward, clarifying that that future arrangements related to the Strait do not entail the imposition of any transit fees.

It is worth noting that the joint ministerial meeting between the GCC countries and the US addressed the prospects for the existing strategic partnership and ways to enhance it between both sides in various economic, security, and defense fields, contributing to achieving lasting peace and prosperity and supporting the foundations of security and stability.

The ministers exchanged views on the latest regional developments in the Gulf and the Middle East, and emphasized the importance of continuing and intensifying diplomatic efforts to achieve shared goals in reaching final and sustainable peaceful solutions to all the complex issues that concern the countries of the region and threaten their security and stability.

They also emphasized that the principles of international law, the sovereignty of states, and non-interference in their internal affairs must be respected in order to enhance the opportunities for security, stability, peaceful coexistence, and good neighborliness, and to protect the interests of the peoples of the region. (QNA)