الملخص الإنجليزي
Today the role of parliaments is no longer limited to the domestic functions of the state but has also become more extensive on the international level, due to the interplay of intemal politics with foreign policy. However, there are some international activities that do not rely on govemments' representation and the practice of classical diplomacy. Rather they conducted only through parliamentary institutions and the practice of parliamentary diplomacy. This research provides a theoretical background regarding the concept of parliamentary diplomacy within the context of inter-parliamentary relations and explores its added value to the state's foreign policy goals as a complementary activity to classical diplomacy. The research provides a historical background of Shura institutions development in Oman to the establishment of the Shura Council. It provides an explanation of the evolution of the Council's functions. The research then discusses the parliamentary diplomacy conducted by the Shura Council of Oman, the Lower House of the Omani Parliament, which has received large legislative and oversight competencies since 2011 as stipulated in Article (58) of the Basic Law of Oman. The researcher reviews the Council's contribution to foreign affairs, which involves making recommendations on interational agreements and applying parliamentary diplomacy through its various means, including collective parliamentary diplomacy, at the level of international parliamentary organizations and federations, and bilateral parliamentary diplomacy, such as the exchange of visits and bilateral missions or parliamentary friendship groups among various parliaments. However, the research focuses mainly on the practices of parliamentary diplomacy. It further examines the beneficial impacts of these practices on Oman's foreign policy. Lastly, the research examines the factors that contribute to the success and effectiveness of Omani parliamentary diplomacy, such as the extensive powers granted to the Council, Oman's stability, balanced international relations, and Oman's interational status as a state with an active neutral foreign policy orientation. Finally, developing means of communication between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Omani Shura Council, and enhancing parliamentary training by the Council for members and staff, as well as supporting the various media of the Council's external activities. All these recommendati contribute to the effectiveness of practicing parliamentary diplomacy and increase its positive impact on Oman's interational relations.
