Egyptian-Omani relations are historical dating back to 3500 years ago. This created wide scale relations on the economic and commercial levels between the two countries. These relations have  developed  after the rise of Modern Oman to include political; strategic; social and cultural aspects. Thus, the convergence of ideas and stances of the two countries concerning the critical issues of the region did not come out of a vacuum  but history and geography have crystallized their mutual stands.

Egyptian-Omani relations are cornerstone on the Arab political level. This is clearly reflected in the policies that have been conducted in solving all differences through negotiations and dialogue. Both countries call for peace and stability on the international and regional scales  provided not abandoning any of the Arab rights in general and the Palestinians’ in particular. Therefore, the two countries have an identical stance at providing maximum support to the struggle of the Palestinian people to achieve their legitimate rights.

 

The relations between the two countries reflect an unprecedented level of mutual understanding; political coordination and cooperation on various bilateral, regional and international issues. These relations derive their strength from the multiple aspects of cooperation between the two brotherly countries.

Political relations

Excellent Egyptian-Omani relations are culminated over the years and have been characterized by mutual respect and friendship.

 

There are constant Consultation and coordination between the two countries in bilateral and regional issues, as well as in other international affairs.

 

Omani officials have always appreciated the role played by Egypt in  resolving conflicts and disputes in the region to maintain stability in the Arab world. For example, Egypt has taken the initiative on topics such as combating maritime piracy and the presidency of NATO. Oman always, supports the Egyptian membership in the international organizations.

 

Consultation and understanding between the two countries in regional and international issues. are    illustrated in the following:

 

President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi sent a cable of thanks to Sultan Qaboos Bin Said, Sultan of Oman, in response to a cable of congratulations he has sent in the occasion of his election as President of the Republic.

 

The Arab Affairs Committee of the Parliament lauded the Egyptian -Omani relations, which reflect cordiality between the two leaders, Abd al-Fattah al-Sisi and Sultan Qaboos bin Said, and that have been translated into practical development in economic and investment relations.

 

On January 17, 2017, the Committee appreciated the decision of Sultan Qaboos instructing his government to facilitate the obstacles facing Egyptian employment in Oman and his orders to study the projects that have been offered by the Egyptian side. He also allocated 250 million $for investments in Egypt.

 

On March 7, 2017 Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry met with Omani Minister of Foreign Affairs Youssef bin Alawi on the sidelines of the Ministerial Meeting of the Council of the League of Arab States that was held in Cairo. Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid said that the Omani minister affirmed during the meeting that the Egyptian-Omani relations are the main focus of the Arab region, which derive its strength from the historical dimension and the depth of the bilateral relations between the two countries.

 

On April 22, 2017 Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry met Yousef Bin Alawi Foreign Sultanate of Oman as part of his visit to Cairo, where the meeting dealt with various aspects of bilateral relations between the two countries , ways of strengthening them and the latest developments on the Arab arena.

Mutual Visits

The most important visits between the two countries can be seen as follows:  

On November 14, 2017,Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry met his Omani counterpart Yousuf Bin Alawi Bin Abdullah .The two sides discussed ways of cooperation between the two countries and issues of common concern.  Skoukry also handed over President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi's message to Sultan Qaboos.

 

On April 9, 2017, Minister of Sports Affairs in Oman, Chairman of the Executive Office of the Council of Arab Youth and Sports Sheikh Saad Bin Mohammed Saeed Al-Mardouf Al-Saadi and his accompanying delegation visited Egypt to attend the Arab Fund for Youth and Sports activities at the headquarters of the League of Arab States. Egyptian Minister of Youth and Sports Khalid Abdul Aziz met him. The two sides discussed ways of joint cooperation between the two countries.

 

On February 12, 2017 Deputy Premier of the State Council of Oman Dr. Ghaleb Al-Hinai visited Egypt. Ali Abdel-Al President of the House of Representatives met him.

 

On January 10, 2017 Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri paid a visit to Oman. He was received by Sheikh Asaad bin Tariq bin Taymour Al Said, the personal representative of Sultan Qaboos Sultan of Oman, where he conveyed a verbal message from President Al Sisi to Sultan Qaboos.

 

On July 27 2015  Foreign Minister of the Sultanate of Oman, Yousuf Bin Alawi, visited Egypt and met with Foreign Minister Sameh Shukri. The two sides discussed bilateral relations and means of activating them in various fields

 

On March 27, 2015  Personal Envoy of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Assad bin Tarek visited Egypt to attend the 26thsession of the Arab Summit, and he was met by President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi.

 

On March 13, 2015  Prime Minister of Oman Yahiya Bin Mahfouz Al-Manthzari visited Egypt to attend a conference on  the  support and development of  the Egyptian economy.

On December 7, 2014 Egyptian foreign minister Sameh Shoukry paid a visit to the Sultanate of Oman during which he met Omani Foreign Minister Yousef Bin Alawi, where they discussed bilateral relations and means of deepening them in various fields.
 

Economic Relations

Egyptian-Omani official meetings denote the desire of the two governments to invest such distinguished relation in activating the economic relations between the two countries as the Egyptian market is promising . In addition to this Oman considers Egypt  an important Chanel for export to the neighboring African countries.   

Those meetings come up to activate the commercial relations between the two countries with in the framework of  the Great Arab trade agreement.  

By the end of 2016, statistics have shown Egypt's exports to Oman to reach 23 million. However, Egypt's import amounted to 8 million L.E

 

On February 24, 2017 Egypt -Oman signed three bilateral cooperation agreements between the two ministries of manpower in the two countries at the end of the 13th session of the Egyptian-Omani joint committee that was  held in Cairo under the chairmanship of Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and Omani Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Youssef Bin Alawi.

At the closing session, both Egyptian-Omani ministers witnessed the signing of three agreements for bilateral cooperation in the fields of youth; sport; pioneer and training labor. Also, both Ministries of Manpower of the two countries have signed the minutes of the current joint committee.

On May 17, 2017, bilateral meetings were held between the companies of the two countries to promote trade exchange .The meetings  have been organized by the General Authority for Investment Promotion and Export Development of Oman (Ithraa) in cooperation with the Sultanate's embassy in Cairo and the Egyptian company "Ibis "that was specialized in the management of international business and investment services.

The bilateral meetings between Egyptian -Omani companies aimed at boosting trade exchange between the two countries. It included 25 exporting companies from the largest commercial companies in the Sultanate and 95 Egyptian companies that have been importing from major governments and private companies.

Omani companies participating in those meetings are specialized in sardines; tuna; biscuits; pasta; detergents; juices; tomato paste; marble; wood; furniture; plastic hoses; mattresses; medicines; dairy products and others.

Cultural Relations

Omani-Egyptian relations dates back to ancient history i.e. 3500 years ago. This greatly promoted cooperation between the two countries at the political, strategic ,social and cultural levels.

Media and cultural relations between the two countries are illustrated in the  following:

 On March 21-27/ 2016, Egyptian participation in the Muscat Film Festival.

 A statement by the Sultanate of Oman welcomed the Egyptian participation in Muscat International Film Festival. It said that, the usual warmth of the Egyptian art and the creativity were witnessed.  Samir Sabri; Boussi; Karim Abdel Aziz and the late artist Nour El Sherif have been honored there.

On May 15, 2014 Egypt and Oman signed a memorandum of understanding for media cooperation between the Sultanate's government, represented by the Omani Ministry of Information and the Egyptian government, represented by the State Information Service (SIS).

The Memorandum of Understanding was considered an activation to both the Cultural agreement that was concluded in 1974 and the Media Cooperation Protocol that was signed in 1983.

The memorandum includes strengthening media cooperation; exchange of experiences to improve the skills of human cadres and the agreement to develop cooperation through several channels of communication through the exchange of news on current events between the two countries; giving them the priority in  in publishing, printing in audio-visual media and  websites,in addition to the exchange of studies and information.

The memorandum also supports the joint production of printed and electronic publications that shed light on Omani-Egyptian relations in various aspects reflecting the historical and contemporary sides.

They agreed also to afford the necessary facilities for researchers and specialists to obtain media expertise and skills.

 

Al-Azhar plays a leading role on the religious scale in Oman and there is a protocol signed between Al-Azhar and the Omani Awqaf Ministry and the Ministry of Religious Affairs,.Representatives for both ministries met in the framework of the Joint Commission.