FOREIGN AFFAIRS

A leading regional trading power from ancient times, Oman has a long history of relations with the countries of the Arab world, and beyond. For centuries, Oman ran a flourishing trade network that encompassed the Far East, south-east Asia and the Indian sub-continent. In recent times, Oman forged trade links with East Africa, but in the past Omanis have sailed to China, the United States and traveled to coastal, central and southern Africa.
Oman was the first Arab country to establish diplomatic relations with the United States, sending a diplomatic mission across the Atlantic in 1840. It already had diplomatic relations with France, and formalised diplomatic relations with the British Empire in 1800. However, due to the world economic situation at that time, the beginning of the twentieth century saw a reversal in Omani trading fortunes and international relations.
By 1970, Oman needed to establish diplomatic recognition in international circles from scratch, ending years of isolation. In 1971, Oman joined the Arab League and the United Nations. In 1972, it joined the Islamic Conference Organisation, and in 1973, it joined the Non-Aligned League of Nations. In 1981, Oman became a founder member of the Arab Gulf Co-operation Council (AGCC).

Sultan Qaboos bin Said states that the Sultanate’s foreign policy is based on non-interference in other countries’ internal affairs and non-acceptance of interference by others. Oman strives to be a good neighbor, respecting the territorial integrity of other countries and co-existing peacefully with all nations. It upholds the rights of oppressed people and is committed to promoting relationships with other Arab and Islamic states and supporting just causes. It complies with international laws and conventions and sees mutual respect and interest as a basis for regional and international co-operation.
Oman’s foreign policy balances local, regional and international factors with the international status quo. The Sultanate boasts a strategic location, its territory on the western shores of the Straits of Hormuz marking the gateway to the Arabian Gulf. This shipping route transships much of the world’s oil exports and is crucial to world peace and security.
The Sultanate’s Accession Protocol to the World Trade Organisation was signed in October 2000, a move that enables it to meet regional and international political, economic and development challenges. Muscat is one of the most dynamic capital cities in the region, attracting frequent visits by senior foreign officials. Omani delegations regularly visit friendly countries to participate in the international organisations to which Oman belongs.
Oman forges bilateral and multilateral relations with other countries, and its foreign policy is to reinforce diplomatic relations and to influence regional economic affairs. The Sultanate’s economic development is centrally planned, and adhering to national development plans remains a priority.
In December 2001, Muscat hosted the 22nd GCC summit, where the Supreme Council ruled that the GCC Economic Agreement would replace the Unified Economic Agreement adopted in November 1981, and set a deadline for GCC customs union. The common customs tariff has introduced on 1 January 2003, ahead of the original 2005 deadline. The common customs tariff has been set at 5 percent on foreign goods imported from outside the GCC. GCC member states set a deadline for monetary union and the common GCC currency for January 2010 at the latest.

Gulf crisis

Oman seeks to persuade the international community to end the suffering of the Iraqi people, subjected to United Nations economic embargo for more than a decade. The Sultanate advocates an immediate end to sanctions, to alleviate the Iraqi people’s plight. At the Arab League Summit in Beirut in March 2002, Oman helped to secure a rapprochement between Iraq and Saudi Arabia and between Iraq and Kuwait. Oman sees this as a constructive step that requires Iraq to be flexible to international resolutions. Omani and Iraq have formalised their bilateral relationship, and ratified an agreement to set up a free trade zone together, to promote closer co-operation.

Middle East peace

Oman remains committed to the Middle East peace process, launched in Madrid in 1991. More recently it strongly supported the call at the Arab League Summit in Beirut for the establishment of a Palestinian State with East Jerusalem as its capital. It also insisted on a fair resolution of the plight of Palestinian refugees before the present conflict with the State of Israel could end.
Oman has called on the international community – and, as the main sponsor of the Middle East peace process, on the United States in particular – to press Israel to end its aggression against the Palestinians and comply with international resolutions.
Sultan Qaboos’ 29th National Day speech emphasised Oman’s commitment to peace: "We believe in peace and we endeavor to achieve it and strengthen our friendly relations with all nations on the basis of full justice and mutual respect… We have firmly and continuously supported all just causes, particularly the Palestinians’ struggle to regain their rights and establish their independent state, the problem of the Syrian Golan Heights, the Lebanese south and all Arab, Islamic and international causes. While hoping that the Middle East peace process will result in a just solution to everybody, we appeal to the international community to deploy further efforts in order to bring about solutions to the outstanding problems which inflict suffering and threaten peace. We would like to see the injustice lifted so that security, stability, friendship and co-operation reign among all nations."

African relations

The relationship between Oman and Africa dates back to pre-Islamic times. Some historical sources suggest that Omanis settled the east coast of Africa before the first century AD. With the rise of Islam, Omanis emigrated to the east coast of Africa as Arab forces established emirates and cities in Africa to spread Islam, the Arabic language and Arab influence. Omani merchants exported Arabic and Islamic influence beyond the east African coast, to the Great Lakes and central Africa. While Omanis were not the only Arabs who traded goods and values with East Africa, they were pioneers whose influence can still be detected.
Sultan Qaboos has strengthened Oman’s bilateral relations with African countries. Oman opened a Consulate-General in Zanzibar in 1987 and a trade office in Johannesburg in South Africa in 1994. The Sultanate has backed several developmental projects in Zanzibar. Omani companies participated in Dar es Salaam International Fair in Tanzania in summer 2001, and concluded trade agreements valued at $1 million. Trade statistics show that trade between Oman and Tanzania, Zambia, Kenya and South Africa is increasing, with the trade balance favouring Oman. Oman has sent aid and relief to several African countries hit by natural disasters.

Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Co-operation

Oman is one of 14 founder members of the Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Co-operation (IORARC), founded in 1997 to balance and sustain development in the region. Member states work together to maximise their natural resources, which include oil, gas, coal, fertile lands, water resources, technology and services. Oman has hosted several association meetings. IORARC aims to improve trade links and inward investment through the Indian Ocean region, from Australia to south-east Asia, India, Africa and the Arabian peninsula. Since Iorarc was established, membership has expanded to include Sri Lanka, Yemen, Malaysia, Indonesia, Tanzania, Mozambique and Madagascar. Oman’s diplomatic relations have expanded from representatives accredited to three countries in 1970 to 136 countries in 2002. The Sultanate belongs to more than a hundred regional, Islamic and international organisations. Oman was appointed to the executive council of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) for a third term to December 1999 and served on the executive council of Unesco. In March 2002, Oman signed the Organisation of the Islamic Conference agreement to combat international terrorism.

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