Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said of Oman has arrived at the Palace of Independence in Astana for talks with Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

A Guard of Honor was lined up to welcome the Omani leader, Qazinform reports.

Tokayev and Sultan Haitham introduced members of their official delegations before the Guard of Honor delivered a report to the Kazakh president. The presidential orchestra then performed the national anthems of Kazakhstan and Oman.

The two leaders walked along the ceremonial carpet to the State Flag of Kazakhstan before heading to a restricted-format meeting.

Sultan Haitham arrived in Astana on October 5 for a state visit and was welcomed at the airport by President Tokayev. The leaders held a brief conversation upon the Sultan’s arrival, with Tokayev highlighting the historic importance of the visit for bilateral relations.

Sultan Haitham thanked the Kazakh president for the warm welcome and expressed confidence that the upcoming talks would be substantive and successful.

The October 5-6 visit includes high-level negotiations, the signing of several agreements and participation by the two leaders in the Kazakhstan-Oman Business Forum.