Borders and opportunities: Russia and Oman agree on mutual visa cancellation

Relations between Russia and Oman are developing quite actively, but they should be brought to a higher level, according to Vladimir Putin and Haytham bin Tarek Al Said. The talks between the President of the Russian Federation and the Sultan of Oman, held in the Kremlin on April 22, became the first meeting between the leaders of the two states in 40 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations. The interlocutors identified energy, agriculture and trade as promising areas of partnership. The parties also concluded a series of agreements under which they agreed to create a separate trade commission and mutually cancel visas. Other topics include the Iran nuclear deal, where Oman mediates between the United States and Iran. How the Sultan's historic state visit to Moscow went and when Vladimir Putin and Haytham bin Tarek Al Said may see each other again — in the Izvestia article.

How was the first meeting between the President of the Russian Federation and the Sultan of Oman

On April 22, Vladimir Putin devoted a working day to the Russian-Omani negotiations. The day before, the Sultan of the Arab state, Haytham bin Tarek Al Said, arrived in Moscow. He was met at the airport by an honor guard and an orchestra. This state visit of the Sultan to Moscow is timed to coincide with the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. It is symbolic that the signature of the current Sultan is under the agreement on their establishment — at that time he held the position of Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Oman. This visit is especially significant for both countries: the heads of state met in person for the first time in the history of bilateral relations between Russia and Oman. Prior to that, Vladimir Putin and Haytham bin Tarek Al Said called in March 2023. It was the only high-level bilateral contact since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1985.

Vladimir Putin met Haysam bin Tarek Al Said at the Grand Kremlin Palace in the center of St. George's Hall. After shaking hands, the leaders listened to the national anthems of the two countries, and then introduced their delegations. At the meeting in a narrow format, the Sultan thanked the President of Russia for the warm welcome and hospitality.

— Earlier, when I was minister, I visited the country. Our countries have strong and lasting relations, which we are developing in the interests of our peoples. Today, I am making this visit as the head of state, not as the head of a department or ministry," said Haitham bin Tarek Al Said.

Despite the fact that Russia and Oman have traditionally had no serious contradictions in their history, the countries have begun to strive to strengthen cooperation on a mutually beneficial basis only in recent years. In particular, this is due to the fact that before the end of the cold war, contacts between Russia and Oman were quite limited.

— The fact is that Sultan Qaboos, who led Oman for 50 years — until 2020, adhered to a policy of equal distancing, maintaining relations with both the West and the Soviet Union, then with Russia. A significant warming in relations began only in the 2020s with the arrival of Haysam bin Tarek Al Said. And today's first—ever visit by an Omani ruler to Russia marks a new stage in the relationship between the two states," Middle East expert Artyom Tkachev told Izvestia.

It is possible that the leaders will see each other again this year, as Vladimir Putin invited the Sultan of Oman to the Russian Federation—League of Arab States (LAS) summit. As Dmitry Peskov, the press secretary of the President of the Russian Federation, told Izvestia, the summit is scheduled for autumn, while preparations are underway. In addition, Haytham bin Tarek Al Said invited Vladimir Putin to Oman on a return visit, and the Russian leader "gratefully agreed," according to a joint statement.

What are Russia and Oman cooperating on?

Contacts between Russia and Oman are actively developing, both leaders stated. Vladimir Putin and Haytham bin Tarek Al Said are satisfied with the progress in relations between the two countries in 2024 and noted the importance of further advancing them and bringing them to a higher level, according to a joint statement following the talks. At the moment, the countries are interested in developing cooperation in logistics, transport, mutual investments, and agriculture, the Russian president said. In 2024, the trade turnover amounted to $314 million. The largest increase in exports from Russia is accounted for by cereals: wheat and meslin (a mixture of wheat and rye) — by 52%, barley — by 6.7 times.

At the same time, Russia supports expanding cooperation with Oman in the field of energy. An important place during the negotiations was given to developing dialogue in the OPEC+ format and coordinating efforts to ensure the legitimate interests of leading producers and exporters of hydrocarbons in the global oil market. Muscat confirmed mutual interest in developing contacts in the energy sector, as well as in agriculture and trade. Before the talks with the Russian president, Sultan managed to meet with Russian business.

"I have called on representatives of Russian business to open their branches and representative offices in Oman, come to visit us, and attract mutual investments," he said.

A solid package of documents signed by the delegations following the negotiations will also help to stimulate the partnership between the two countries. Among them is a memorandum of understanding in the field of transport and transit, on cooperation in countering the legalization of proceeds from crime, as well as a memorandum of cooperation in the field of fisheries. In addition, Russia and Oman agreed to form an intergovernmental commission on trade, economic and technical cooperation. The structure will encourage and develop it, look for new areas for cooperation, and help exchange information in the economic and investment spheres.

The governments of Russia and Oman have also signed an agreement on the mutual abolition of visa requirements for holders of ordinary passports. Previously, Russians could receive free 14-day visas at the border to enter Oman. They were not subject to renewal and change to another type. Citizens will now be able to enter, transit, and leave without visas. At the same time, the visa-free regime does not apply to those entering for permanent residence, study or work. If a person intends to stay in the country for more than 30 days at a time or 90 days per year, they must receive a document.

— This agreement can significantly simplify travel and promote the growth of tourist exchange between the countries. I think that after the abolition of visas, the growth may reach 30-40%. However, to do this, it is also necessary to expand the geography of flights from the regions of the Russian Federation. There are currently six flights a week to Oman from Moscow alone," Maya Kotlyar, founder and CEO of MAYEL Travel, told Izvestia.

According to the Kremlin, by the end of 2024, the tourist flow from Russia to Oman amounted to 18.1 thousand trips, Omani tourists, in turn, made 9.5 thousand visits to Russia.

Oman's mediation in negotiations between the United States and Iran

Despite the fact that the heads of state did not touch on international issues in the open part, it is obvious that the leaders could not ignore the events taking place in the world. In particular, Oman remains a mediator in the negotiations between the United States and Iran regarding the nuclear deal. The American and Iranian delegations are scheduled to meet in Muscat on April 26. Russian Presidential aide Yuri Ushakov confirmed that the leaders discussed the progress of negotiations between Iranian and American representatives, as well as the situation around the Iranian nuclear program. He noted that Russia maintains close contacts with its Iranian colleagues and helps them whenever possible.

The dialogue between Washington and Tehran on the nuclear deal is of direct interest to Russia, since Moscow has historically participated in the settlement of the Iranian nuclear dossier, for example, as one of the parties to the 2015 agreement on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and as a permanent member of the UN Security Council.

— It is always important for Moscow to keep abreast of the content and progress of US-Iranian contacts, even if it is not present at the negotiating table. Russia, like most states, is interested in preventing a military conflict between the United States and Iran, which would destabilize not only the Middle East, but also most of the world. De-escalation is extremely important for the Russian Federation. Moscow does not need any conflicts near the southern borders of the country, across the Caspian Sea and the Caucasus, because this directly contradicts our interests," said Artem Tkachev.

In addition, it is important for Moscow to be aware of what is happening, since a potential nuclear deal and the lifting of sanctions against Tehran would be able to bring a significant amount of Iranian oil to the market, which theoretically could lower world prices for it. Russia, as a major exporter of hydrocarbons, would prefer its return to the market to be controlled within the framework of, for example, OPEC+, the expert emphasized.

It is known that the parties also touched upon the Palestinian issue. Vladimir Putin and Haitham bin Tarek Al Said expressed concern about the situation in Gaza and called for the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Palestinian territories. They also noted the need to achieve a fair settlement of the issue, taking into account the principle of the existence of two States.