His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik of Oman concluded an official visit to France on June 29, 2026, aimed at advancing the longstanding bilateral relationship between the two countries through strategic partnership agreements. The visit, held at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron, marked the first official visit by Sultan Haitham to France and culminated in the signing of 12 agreements, memoranda of understanding (MoUs), and declarations of intent covering a broad range of sectors.
The meeting between Sultan Haitham and President Macron took place at the Élysée Palace in Paris, where both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation in political, economic, defence, security, cultural, and scientific fields. The discussions reflected a desire to build on a relationship established in the late 19th century, when the French consulate first opened in Muscat in 1894, emphasizing a modern, forward-looking partnership.
Among the key areas targeted for enhanced collaboration are renewable energy, water management, aerospace, maritime infrastructure, logistics, information technology, civil aviation, education, and culture. Notably, the Sultan and the French President inaugurated the Franco-Omani business forum, which gathered over 60 companies from both nations. This event highlighted new investment opportunities and led to contracts involving renewable energy projects such as the pumped-storage hydropower initiative at Wadi Dayqah Dam with France’s EDF Group, and partnerships in aerospace through collaborations between Omani companies like Etlaq and MBsat and French firms such as Latitude and Telespazio.
The agreements include a wide spectrum of cooperation, such as the training of Omani medical specialists with support from the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, logistics and port development linked to the Muscat Metro project, and investments promoted jointly under Oman Vision 2040 and France 2030 frameworks. Further infrastructure engagement features MoUs on air transport and urban transit, as well as commercial collaborations in automotive distribution, smart electricity meter assembly, gypsum industry investment, and luxury fragrance manufacturing.
Educational and cultural exchanges also received significant attention, with commitments to increase student mobility to France, development of dual-degree programs, research collaborations, and the enhancement of French language teaching in Omani schools. Both nations emphasized the importance of maintaining cultural ties through museum cooperation, archaeology research, and the operation of the Omani-French Centre in Muscat.
On the defence and security front, ongoing military cooperation involving the integration of French equipment into Omani armed forces, joint military exercises, and maritime security efforts were reaffirmed. The two countries committed to reinforcing collaboration against illicit trafficking, enhancing maritime surveillance, and ensuring the freedom and safety of navigation in vital regional sea lanes such as the Strait of Hormuz and the Sea of Oman. Both parties underscored their support for multilateralism and adherence to international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
The visit underscored Oman’s diplomatic strategy of maintaining open and balanced relations with major powers, avoiding regional polarisation while seeking substantive partnerships. France, for its part, values Oman as a stable and sovereign partner in the strategically significant Gulf region amid shifting geopolitical dynamics and efforts toward energy transition and regional stability.
Sultan Haitham expressed gratitude for the hospitality extended by France and invited President Macron to visit Oman. The official visit ended with the Sultan departing Paris for the United Kingdom on a private visit, leaving behind a reinforced framework for ongoing cooperation aimed at generating economic growth, technological advancement, and cultural exchange in the coming decade.