Syria, Oman to enhance cooperation in the fields of historical documents and studies

Muscat, (ST) – Dr. Buthaina Shaaban, Special Adviser to the Presidency of the Republic and Chair of the Board of Trustees of the “Watan Document” Authority and the accompanying delegation in Muscat on Tuesday discussed with the Chairman of the Omani National Records and Archives Authority Dr. Hamad bin Muhammad Al-Dhawani aspects of cooperation between Syria and the Sultanate of Oman in the fields of documents, archives and historical studies and means of enhancing this cooperation to serve common interests.

The two sides’ discussions dealt with enhancing bilateral coordination in the field of conferences, historical, civilizational, intellectual and scientific forums and documentary exhibitions. They stressed the importance of pushing cooperation towards enabling access to documents related to the two countries, within an executive program that is being prepared within the framework of the adoption of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Authority and the concerned authorities in Syria.

 The two sides also stressed the importance of exchanging experiences, training workers, and building their own capabilities through technical training, exchanging invitations for activities and events that are held in both countries. They also stressed the importance of cooperation in the field of exchanging publications, publishing documentaries, cultural, literary and historical publications, and setting up joint programs between the two countries in the field of documents and archives.

Dr. Al-Dhawani presented, during the talks, an overview of the role of the Omani National Records and Archives Authority in preserving the” memory of the Al-Watan” and building modern systems for managing documents and archives in accordance with the latest international standards.

For her part, Dr. Shaaban praised the great level provided by the Omani Documentation and Archives Authority in preserving national memory.

She said that the “Watan Document Establishmnet” will unite its efforts and will work with the National Records and Archives Authority in the field of documents, conferences and exhibitions. It will also work with the establishment to form an entity for oral history to be the basis in the Arab world.

Shaaban indicated in her statement that the talks session discussed many commonalities between Syria and the Sultanate of Oman, including enabling access to documents belonging to the two countries, how to view and document them, and the exchange of expertise and experiences in the field of documents, in addition to the joint programs that will emerge with the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the two countries.

For his part, Ambassador Dr. Bassam Al-Khatib, Syria’s ambassador to the Sultanate, who attended the talks, stressed that the visit of the Syrian delegation is a new page of cooperation between the two brotherly countries.

 He said that the two countries will work to sign a memorandum of understanding to enhance the means of cooperation.

Dr. Shaaban also met Omani Minister of Heritage and Tourism, Salem Al Mahrouqi, who stressed the depth of the historical relations that unite the two brotherly countries and peoples, and the necessity of restoring Arab relations with Syria due to its historical depth and strategic importance in the region.

Raghda Sawas