MOSCOW, September 25. /TASS/. Secretary of the Russian Security Council was received by Omani Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said during an official visit to Muscat, the press service of the Russian Security Council said on Monday.

"While in Muscat, Secretary of the Russian Security Council Nikolay Patrushev was received by Omani Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said. The sides discussed a range of problems on the regional and international agenda, as well as prospects for developing cooperation between Moscow and Muscat," it said.

Earlier, Patrushev held Russian-Omani security consultation. He also discussed "a wide range of issues related to the Russian-Omani cooperation across the board" with Minister of the Royal Office of Oman Sultan al Nua’mani at separate talks. Also, the top Russian security official met with Secretary-General of the Omani National Security Council Idris Al Kindi.

In March, Russian President Vladimir Putin held a telephone conversation with Omani Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, the first such phone discussion between the two countries’ leaders since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1985. The telephone call was initiated by the Omani side.

According to the Kremlin, the parties thoroughly discussed the current state of Russian-Omani interactions and the future prospects for bilateral ties. In addition, they discussed the situation in the Middle East and agreed to maintain personal contacts and dialogue at various levels.

The top diplomats of Russia and Oman met for talks in Moscow in July. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that the Sultan of Oman has been invited to visit Russia.

Diplomatic relations between the Soviet Union and the Sultanate of Oman were established in 1985. In 1991, Oman officially recognized Russia as the successor state to the Soviet Union.