The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr George W Vella inaugurated an exhibition entitled "Tolerance, Understanding, Coexistence : Oman's message of Islam" on Friday, 24 October 2014. The exhibition is being held at St James Cavalier in Valletta and will run up to the 9th November 2014.
In his address, Minister Vella stated that the exhibition coincides with the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Malta and the Sultanate of Oman. Whilst recalling his visit to the Sultanate of Oman last June, Minister Vella said that the diplomatic relations between the two countries will be strengthened and enhanced in the months ahead.
Minister Vella underlined the presence of a significant number of Omani students at the University of Malta and that further discussions are envisaged to identify more avenues of cooperation in the educational sector as well as in the commercial and economic sectors.
Minister Vella pointed out that the exhibition could not have come at a more opportune and important time. He stressed that the need for tolerance, understanding and coexistence is imperative, particularly at this moment in time. Cultural diplomacy, Minister Vella said, is a significant component of international relations and augured for more cultural cooperation between Malta and the Sultanate of Oman.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saud Al Siyabi, Secretary General at the Mufti Office, and Dr Mohamed Said Al-Mamari, Adviser at the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs of the Sultanate of Oman participated in the inauguration of the exhibition.