EU strengthens its partnership with Oman by opening a new Delegation in Muscat
On 21 July, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas and Oman's Foreign Minister, H.E. Sayyid Bader bin Hamad bin Hamood Al Busaidi, signed the Establishment Agreement for the new EU Delegation in Muscat.
The agreement provides the legal framework for establishing the Delegation and reflects the European Union's commitment to deepening its partnership with Oman.
Opening an EU Delegation in Muscat is a milestone in our relations. It is a clear signal of our commitment – to Oman, to the Gulf, and to stronger security partnerships with the region. Today, we are expanding our diplomatic footprint where it matters the most.
EU High Representative Kaja Kallas
Located at the crossroads of the Gulf, the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea, Oman plays a vital role in regional stability and global maritime trade. The new EU Delegation will strengthen political dialogue and enhance cooperation with Oman.
This new EU Delegation in the Gulf, following Kuwait in 2019 and Qatar in 2022, comes at a time of heightened regional tensions, underlining the importance of close coordination with trusted partners. Oman is a key partner in this, thanks to its role in mediation and maritime security, as well as its important geographic position connecting the Gulf and the Indian Ocean and Red Sea, sharing borders among others with Yemen and Iran.
With a network of 145 EU Delegations and Offices worldwide, the EU maintains one of the world's largest diplomatic networks. The establishment of the Delegation in Muscat further strengthens the EU's global presence and its ability to work closely with partners in the region.
The European Union is now preparing to appoint its first Ambassador to the Sultanate of Oman and establish a full diplomatic presence in Muscat. Until then, Ambassador Cristophe Farnaud remains accredited as the EU Ambassador to the Sultanate of Oman.
Press release: European Union and Sultanate of Oman sign Establishment Agreement for EU Delegation in Muscat