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 An Interview with Oman’s Deputy Minister of Finance Dervish bin Ismail al-Beluchi
Reflections of Turkey’s proactive policies were seen during President Abdullah Gül’s visit to Oman. ORSAM advisors Assistant Prof. Veysel Ayhan and Oytun Orhan accompanied President Abdullah Gül during his visit to Oman, and held interviews with Omani authorities in order to understand their ideas about Turkey. Deputy Minister of Finance Dervish bin Ismail al-Beluchi made important assessments about mutual relations and gave information about the progress of Oman’s economy.
How do you assess Turkish-Omani relations and President Abdullah Gül’s visit to Oman?
First, I want to say that Turkish-Omani relations have always been good throughout history. President Gül was treated with the highest respect, which shows our will to further develop relations with Turkey. We have a common history, religion and social features, so we have to question why our relations are not even better. The recent visit was extremely important for the further development of mutual relations which are already in a good state.
Can you enlighten us about the Omani people’s opinions regarding Turkey’s recent Middle East policies?
Turkey has an important place in Middle East politics. Not only for its political and social structure. Turkey also has a strong and modern economy. Turkey has a strategic location for us Arabs as it provides a gateway to Europe and Russia. Above all this, the recent policies of Turkey are followed closely by the entire Arab world as well as by Oman. The Turkish foreign policy pattern reflects the wishes of the Arab people. Here we don’t support Turkey for taking a side. We support Turkey’s policies since we think that they support the righteous. Turkey’s policies on the Palestinian issue and its attitude against Israeli aggressivity is very important because Turkey is a strong state with immense political experience. You can see the people’s love for Turkey in the streets of Oman clearly.
You put an emphasis on the importance of Turkey’s influence in the Middle East. So what exactly should Turkey’s role be?
Turkey can play an important role in the resolution of regional issues, the Palestinian issue in particular. Above all, Turkey provides a bridge between Iran and the Arab world. There have been serious crises in the Middle East recently and new ones might be on the way. As a regional power, Turkey has the capacity to play an active role in the resolution of these problems by peaceful means. Turkey is doing this with its recent policies.
At this point, what do you think about the Iranian nuclear crisis?
We believe that every country has the right to produce nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. Iranian authorities say that they have a peaceful nuclear energy policy. We believe this. Even the US authorities declared that Iran is not conducting activities to produce nuclear weapons. Every country has the right to produce nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and so does Iran. At this point our stance is in line with Turkey’s. It is not Iran that poses a threat for the Middle East; Israel does. It wouldn’t be realistic to claim that Israel is not involved in the campaign against Iran. In this sense, Israel’s policies are mainly causing the problem.
Some claim that Oman’s oil revenues have been declining, what can you say about this?
75% of the state’s revenues are based on oil and natural gas production. This year’s oil and natural gas revenue is estimated to be $10 billion. However, we are conducting serious inquiries to diversify economic sources. We specified fishery, tourism and industry as the new strategic sectors. The construction of 5 airports is underway. The largest of these airport projects is being done by TAV, a Turkish Company. The airports will make great contribution to the development of trade activity in Oman. Seaport projects are also underway. We plan to transform the Dofar Region into an international commercial center. This way, we will reduce our need for oil income over the next 20 years.
Oman covers a large territory. Also a small piece of land at the Strait of Hormuz is under Omani control. What is the importance of the Musandam region for you?
As you know, the Musandam Peninsula is the last part of the Hormuz Strait on the Arab Peninsula. Musandam has more strategic than economic importance. It enables us to control the Straits of Hormuz together with Iran. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most strategic points for oil transport. The Strait handles the 40-45% of the world’s total oil transport. Therefore, this small piece of land has a great strategic importance both for us and the entire world. There is also a small port in the region. It is used solely for the transport of an insignificant volume of commercial commodities.
Mr. Beluchi, thank you for sharing this information with us. |
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| May 9 2010 |
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