BY SHAZIA SALEEM
Oman and Japan have underlined the urgent need for diplomacy and political engagement to ease rising tensions in the Middle East, with both countries stressing that lasting regional stability can only be achieved through dialogue, restraint and respect for international law. Speaking at a recent joint press conference in Muscat, Oman’s Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Al Busaidi and his Japanese counterpart Toshimitsu Motegi emphasised the importance of reaching a final political agreement that could help de-escalate the current situation.
The two ministers also called for stronger international efforts to protect freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and ensure the uninterrupted movement of ships and vital energy supplies. Sayyid Badr said economic cooperation remained an important pillar of the long-standing partnership between Oman and Japan. He welcomed the growing interest of Japanese companies in Oman, particularly in energy, renewable and low-carbon technologies, logistics and infrastructure.
He also expressed hope for a positive outcome in discussions on a Free Trade Agreement between Japan and the Gulf Cooperation Council. According to him, such an agreement could strengthen trade, investment and supply-chain security while creating wider economic opportunities for both sides. On regional security, the Omani Foreign Minister reaffirmed his country’s commitment to maritime security and international law.
He said Oman opposed any further escalation or conflict and believed that sustainable security in the Strait of Hormuz depended on building lasting peace across the region.”Restraint, diplomacy and continuous engagement” were essential, he said, particularly in addressing the deeper causes of instability, including exclusionary policies and violations of international law. Sayyid Badr added that Oman would continue working with Japan and other international partners in support of dialogue, justice and peaceful solutions.
At a time of growing uncertainty, he said, partnerships based on trust, realism and diplomacy were becoming increasingly important.Motegi, meanwhile, said Japan and Oman were expanding cooperation across several sectors. He thanked Oman for its stable and long-term supplies of crude oil and liquefied natural gas, which remain important to Japan’s energy security. The Japanese Foreign Minister also highlighted plans to deepen cooperation in clean energy, including hydrogen and ammonia.
He said Japan was preparing a broader cooperation plan aimed at strengthening economic resilience and energy security amid the changing situation in the Middle East. With tensions surrounding Iran at a critical stage, Motegi said candid discussions and immediate efforts towards de-escalation were essential. He also stressed the importance of safeguarding freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and Bab-el-Mandeb, two of the world’s most strategically important waterways.
