A ministry communiqué confirms that On October 18, 2026, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced a series of phone calls conducted by Minister of Transport, Engineer Nassir bin Nasser Al-Raeesi, with counterparts from Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and France. The statement does not mention the specific outcomes of these discussions, but frames them as deepening the existing friendship between Oman and these nations. Furthermore, the ministry reported that Political Undersecretary Dr. Mohammed bin Ahmed Al-Hashar held bilateral talks alongside participation in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) meeting. This suggests an active diplomatic engagement across multiple fronts. The statement does not address the specific topics discussed during these bilateral meetings, only noting their occurrence.

Context
These communications represent a continuation of Oman’s outward-facing diplomatic activity, as evidenced by recent statements regarding condolences offered to Saudi Arabia following a helicopter crash (October 8, 2026) and condemnations of attacks on Saudi airports (October 6, 2026). The Ministry’s actions, as highlighted in the October 18th release, demonstrate a sustained effort to maintain relationships with key regional partners. The statement does not mention any strategic shift, but highlights the ongoing prioritization of bilateral engagement. The context is further shaped by the September 17th speech from Her Highness on Omani Women’s Day and the joint statement with Kazakhstan on June 6, 2026, demonstrating a commitment to international cooperation. The earlier state visit by His Majesty to Botswana and Angola (September 19, 2026), focused on strengthening ties with African nations, underscores a broader geographic diversification of Oman’s diplomatic efforts. The continued focus on cooperation with Kazakhstan, as outlined in the October 5, 2026, statement, indicates a longstanding commitment to building on established relationships.

