Oman–France ties boosted through shared history and vision

Oman and France have enjoyed close commercial and diplomatic ties for centuries. Historical records trace these relations back to the seventeenth century, when French merchants reached Omani shores to benefit from the Sultanate of Oman’s strategic ports.
As a maritime crossroads linking East and West, Oman became a natural partner for France, laying the foundations for enduring trade and diplomatic cooperation.
The relationship was formalised in 1844 with the signing of the Treaty of Commerce and Friendship during the reign of Sultan Said bin Sultan, followed by the establishment of a French consulate in Muscat in 1896 under Sultan Faisal bin Turki.
Since then, bilateral relations have steadily expanded across political, economic and commercial spheres, underpinned by mutual respect and a shared commitment to dialogue.
A major milestone came in 1979, when Oman and France signed a comprehensive cooperation agreement covering trade, economic development, education, culture and training. That framework transformed a long-standing historical relationship into a modern strategic partnership.
Today, the partnership extends well beyond traditional diplomacy. Oman and France share broadly aligned positions on regional and international issues, emphasising dialogue, peaceful conflict resolution and respect for international law. Their cooperation also encompasses maritime security, anti-piracy operations, renewable energy and green hydrogen, reflecting common interests in both regional stability and sustainable development.
Cultural and educational cooperation has evolved alongside political and economic ties. Omani and French universities and cultural institutions have signed numerous exchange agreements, while cultural diplomacy has been strengthened through academic partnerships, research collaboration and artistic exchanges.
The Oman–French Centre in Muscat continues to promote language programmes, exhibitions and cultural initiatives that deepen mutual understanding and reinforce people-to-people links.
High-level visits have played a central role in strengthening bilateral relations. The late His Majesty Sultan Qaboos
made the first official visit by an Omani ruler to France in 1989, establishing a modern framework for cooperation in defence, politics and the economy. This was followed by the visit of President François Mitterrand to Oman in 1992, during which the two leaders inaugurated the Oman–French Museum, a lasting symbol of the historical relationship between the two countries.
These exchanges paved the way for wider cooperation, including regular strategic dialogue on regional security, freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and responses to regional crises. They also strengthened investment links and expanded opportunities for cooperation between public institutions and the private sector.
Against this backdrop, the official visit of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik to France, at the invitation of President Emmanuel Macron, marks a new chapter in bilateral relations. As His Majesty the Sultan’s first official visit to France, it is expected to deepen strategic cooperation across political, security, economic, cultural and educational fields.
The visit is also expected to produce new investment agreements and cooperation frameworks, particularly in renewable energy, advanced technology and green hydrogen. Strengthening partnerships between Omani and French private-sector institutions could attract new investment, support the objectives of Oman Vision 2040 and generate fresh employment opportunities.
Beyond economics, the visit provides an important platform for political consultation at a time of heightened geopolitical uncertainty. With tensions affecting maritime trade and freedom of navigation in the Gulf, Oman’s internationally recognised role as a trusted mediator gives added significance to its dialogue with France on regional stability and peace.
The partnership also offers considerable scope for expanding cultural and scientific cooperation. Future initiatives could include deeper collaboration with Oman Across Ages Museum, the further development of the Oman–French Museum, expanded academic exchanges, and joint programmes in museum management, digital transformation and advanced technologies.
France’s expertise in creative industries, heritage preservation and cultural governance also presents valuable opportunities for knowledge transfer and investment.
The Sultan’s visit therefore reflects Oman’s broader diplomatic approach of building strategic partnerships founded on dialogue, mutual respect and shared interests. It reinforces political trust, broadens economic and cultural cooperation, and opens new avenues for investment and human capital development.
More importantly, it demonstrates how a centuries-old relationship continues to evolve in response to the challenges and opportunities of the twenty-first century.
Translated by Badr al Dhafari
The original version of this article was published in the print edition of the Oman Arabic newspaper on June 28