Muscat: Sayyid Badr Hamad Al Busaidi, Foreign Minister, convened with Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro on the sidelines of the 3rd Oman-Philippines Strategic Majlis Forum held in Manila today. According to Oman News Agency, the meeting dealt with ways to boost bilateral relations, cooperation, and partnership between the Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of the Philippines in a manner that better achieves their common interests. The two sides laid emphasis on the significance of the forum as a strategic platform that enhances institutional dialogue, opens up vistas for cooperation between the two governments, private sector establishments, and academic institutions. The forum also supports partnerships in the fields of trade, investment, logistics, tourism, energy, and technology, helping the two countries to keep pace with their aspirations to realize sustainable and comprehensive development. They valued their reciprocal confidence and commended the contribution of the Filipino community in the Sultanate of Oman. The two ministers also discussed the latest regional and international developments and exchanged views about diplomatic efforts aimed at consolidating security, stability, and peace. They stressed the need to ensure the free and safe flow of navigation and supply chains along maritime and trade routes. The meeting was attended by Eng. Nasser bin Said Al Manwari, Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to the Republic of the Philippines, and senior officials from the two countries.