Sultan Haitham bin Tarik of Oman made an official visit to Paris on 28-29 June 2026, at the invitation of President Emmanuel Macron. This marked his first visit to France since becoming Sultan in 2020 and the first official visit by an Omani leader since 1989. The visit concluded with a joint declaration and the signing of twelve agreements, memoranda of understanding, and declarations of intent.
The two heads of state praised the increased bilateral engagement at all levels over the past year. They welcomed the positive outcomes of the first strategic dialogue held in Paris on 14 April 2026 and recent ministerial visits, including that of the minister for Europe and foreign affairs to Muscat on 1 May. A grand official reception ceremony, featuring the national anthems of Oman and France, marked Sultan Haitham’s arrival at the Élysée Palace. During the ceremony, His Majesty inspected the guard of honour and greeted senior members of the French government. An official ceremony had also been held earlier at Les Invalides.
Oman’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the two leaders witnessed the signing of 12 agreements, memoranda of understanding (MoU), and declarations of intent between the Sultanate of Oman and the French Republic at the Élysée Palace. These comprised six agreements, three memoranda of understanding, and three declarations of intent, covering the fields of economy, energy, space, transport, services, health, and culture.
Key agreements included one on the training of Omani specialist doctors between Oman’s Ministry of Health and the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. An MoU was signed covering logistics, ports, and the Muscat Metro between the two transport ministries; investment promotion between Oman’s Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion and France’s Ministry for Foreign Trade and Economic Attractiveness; and air transport between the Civil Aviation Authority and the French Ministry of Transport.
In logistics, an agreement was signed to develop and operate a multipurpose terminal.In the energy sector, a contract was signed for the first phase of the Al Kamil Wal Wafi Solar Power Plant Project, with a capacity of 500 megawatts, alongside an agreement for the Wadi Dayqah Hydroelectric Energy Storage Project. For the water sector, an agreement was signed regarding the management of water networks in the governorates of Muscat, South Al Sharqiyah, and North Al Sharqiyah. The package concluded with a strategic partnership agreement to launch a programme enabling Omani start-ups to explore and expand into French and broader European markets. The declaration also noted France’s welcome for the partnership established between Oman and Airbus for the construction of Oman’s first satellite.
The two leaders also co-chaired the Omani-French Business Forum, which brought together over 60 French and Omani companies and led to the signing of major economic contracts in renewable energy, water, and aerospace. Sultan Haitham addressed the forum, stating, “I am happy to be here in Paris. It has been a great day today. We have talked about so many things that concern Oman and France, and the rest of the world.” Oman’s Foreign Ministry quoted forum chairman Faisal bin Abdullah Al Rawas, who said the agreements translate this support into action, reflecting mutual trust between business communities and opening broader horizons for quality partnerships in renewable energy, industry, technology, AI, aviation, space, and services.
On bilateral cooperation, both sides agreed to deepen ties across multiple sectors. In education, the declaration notes that the two governments agreed to increase enrolment in the Lycée français international de Mascate and to strengthen student mobility through jointly financed mechanisms, double-degree programmes, and scholarships, in line with the priorities of Oman Vision 2040. Regarding culture and heritage, both sides reaffirmed cooperation in museology and archaeology, including continued work to open the Omani-French museum, Bait Faransa. The declaration further records discussions on defence and security cooperation, including the integration of French equipment within the Omani armed forces and regular joint exercises.
The declaration records that Sultan Haitham expressed his warm thanks to President Emmanuel Macron and the people of France for the friendly welcome and generous hospitality extended to His Majesty and his accompanying delegation and invited President Macron to visit Oman. The visit concluded with an exchange of gifts and an official photograph.
